FERMANAGH holidaymakers breathed a sigh of relief after Aer Lingus announced it would accept a 17.75 per cent pay rise for its pilots. The recommendation covers a four-year period from January 1, 2023, to the end of December 2026. The decision is not binding and it will now be put to a ballot of members of the Irish […]
Fermanagh Council spent nearly £4m less than planned
FERMANAGH and Omagh District Council has almost £4 million in reserve despite constant rate hikes and some underwhelming public services lately. During the recent monthly meeting of the Council’s Policy and Resources Committee, it was revealed that the total net operating expenditure was £39.4m against a planned budget of £43.3m for 2023-24. Councillor Mark Ovens said that […]
SWC chief welcomes pay deal for local lecturers
THE news that lecturers are set to join teachers in Fermanagh and accept an improved pay settlement was music to the ears of the principal and chief executive of South West College in Enniskillen. Celine McCartan said she was “pleased that an improved pay offer was tabled to lecturers’ trade unions” after the offer was endorsed by […]
Strike ballot to be held at Fermanagh factory
Workers at timber giant Balcas, outside Enniskillen, are to vote on whether to take strike action over pay.
Huge demand for new homes in Fermanagh
FERMANAGH estate agents have said they’re experiencing ‘very high levels of demand’ for houses from first-time buyers. Fermanagh estate agent, Niall Smyth, has said that demand within the first-time buyer sector in the county is ‘very positive’. “The key issue for first time buyers is the ability to purchase. Co-ownership is a mechanism that increases […]
Junior doctors take to the picket lines
JUNIOR doctors in Fermanagh and across the North have begun their first ever strike action, taking to the picket lines this morning (Wednesday) as part of an ongoing dispute over pay and conditions. Anyone with a hospital appointment today is likely to have it rescheduled, with “significant disruption to hospital services” expected as a result of the industrial action, which […]
Three-day Translink strike suspended
A THREE-DAY strike this week by transport workers in Northern Ireland, which threatened to disrupt the travel plans of thousands of Fermanagh commuters, has been suspended. Translink workers were due to walk out yesterday (Tuesday) for three days after their unions rejected a payment offer from the government. However, following talks on Sunday, the unions said there had been an […]
Enniskillen businesses ‘looking forward’ to busy month
IT’S well documented that January is always a difficult time for traders and businesses, but Noelle McAloon has said that Enniskillen is ‘leading the way’ in the North. With the Northern Ireland Executive returning to Stormont on Saturday, spirits are high across the North and there’s plenty of optimism in business across Fermanagh for the […]
Local trade unionist takes to airwaves
A NEW book celebrating 100 years of the Enniskillen Unite Branch has been highlighted in a popular local BBC radio show, Your Place and Mine. Broadcast on Saturday mornings on BBC Radio Ulster and presented by Anne Marie McAleese, the programme celebrates the people, places and stories that make Northern Ireland unique. Former local trade union leader, Jim Quinn, […]
‘Enough is Enough’ says Enniskillen teacher
Teachers were amongst those striking on Thursday in Enniskillen when they left their classrooms to fight for better pay. The senior vice president for NASUWT the teachers union Sally Rees spoke about why she was out on the picket line. “I’ve been teaching for 28 years and in that time what we have seen is […]