Pictured at the GMB trade union strike at Fermanagh Lakeland Forum are (from left) David Mulvanney, Aisling Moane, Paula Cadden, Declan Maguire, Cora Watson, Martin Donaghy, Sean O’Connor and Dessie McGlinchey (GMB shop steward)
PUBLIC sector workers in Fermanagh joined colleagues from across the North on a one-day on strike last week over a range of issues including rate of pay and pensions.
Staff in Fermanagh including those at the Townhall and the Lakeland Forum were out on Thursday as part of the UK-wide dispute.
It is believed staff at Enniskillen Library, the tax office and the Housing Executive were also due to strike.
Members of NIPSA, UNITE, the GMB, UNIONS, SIPTU and the PCS in Northern Ireland joined trade unions in England and Wales in the strike action last week.
One of the areas of contention for the Unions was a reported pay increase they claim was only worth 1%.
In Enniskillen a local trade union source told the Herald that the majority of the full-time staff at the Lakeland Forum were on the picket line, but it is understood the business operated as normal during the strike, through the use of casual employees.
However, other sources, indicated that only a minority of public sector workers were involved in the day of action.
Policy and publicity representative for Unite Donal O’Cofaigh stated the local protests were largely concerned with pay conditions.
“They were due to the 1% pay increase across the board being offered to those in the public sector. Most unions are looking for a £1 an hour pay increase.”
He continued: “For the lowest paid worker that would take their salary back up to where it should be.”
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