Union says still no sign of talks amid strike by NIHE staff

Members of the Unite trade union have been on strike in the Housing Executive’s ‘direct labour organisation’ since Monday, in the latest bout of industrial action in a long-running dispute over public-sector pay.

The strike, which involves hundreds of workers employed to maintain Housing Executive properties and carry out other duties, is set to continue for a period of four weeks.

Unite official Michael Keenan, speaking to the News Letter on the second day of the strike, said: “We want a specific meeting on the demands, not just a regular meeting in which some things are included as part of the agenda.

“We have seen two councils settle with the unions, and others are engaging with the trade unions.

“The Housing Executive are a public sector employer which has yet to even get that far.”

A spokesperson for the Housing Executive said: “The pay award of 2021/22 for all Housing Executive staff was collectively agreed at a national level and the pay increases have already been implemented. In addition to the national pay negotiations, a local claim was submitted by NIPSA and Unite in June and these discussions are on-going.”