Northern Ireland Conservatives’ spokesman, Bill McKendry, has described the latest batch of public sector strikes as “futile, divisive and completely unjustified”.
“Once again it is the people of Northern Ireland who will suffer, because of the extremism of union leaders”, Bill commented. “The only likely result of these strikes is to drive more of a wedge between public and private sector workers.”
“The state pension age is increasing, because of higher life expectancy and an ageing population. It is absolutely necessary to ensure that public sector pensions also remain sustainable in the face of the same problems.”
“The unions have called their members out again on the basis of unconvincing ballots with small turnouts. The fact that the biggest union, Unison, couldn’t join the action because its members rejected action, shows just how little appetite there is to strike from public sector workers.”
“The union leaders are out of touch with public opinion, out of touch with political reality and even out of touch with their own members. They’re making the public suffer and they’re playing fast and loose with public sector jobs, during a difficult economic time.”
“This latest action is indefensible. It will cause disruption for countless people, the elderly and vulnerable especially and it will be counterproductive for public sector workers. The union leaders must be responsible and halt these pointless strikes at once.”