Council warns of disruption to services following notification of further industrial action

The trade union, Unite, which represents around 100 employees of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council across a range of services, has served notice on the Council that some of its members will be participating in an extended period of strike action from Monday 25 April to Sunday 8 May (excluding the Bank Holiday on Monday 2 May 2022), citing a trade dispute over pay for 2021/22 which has been agreed following a national pay agreement.

This latest industrial action action follows a one week strike in March which caused some disruption to refuse collection, civic amenity and leisure services, particularly in the Omagh area.

It is anticipated that the proposed strike action will, once again, impact on the Council’s ability to deliver its services in these sectors.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has, however, confirmed that refuse collection services will operate as normal on Monday 2 May 2022 as it falls outside the dates of the strike action.

While the Council will endeavour to continue service provision as far as is possible, it is likely that the planned strike action will have a detrimental impact on the delivery of services including key services. The extent of disruption is unlikely to be known until Monday 25 April and residents are advised to follow the Council’s communications channels where updated messages about service disruption will be posted.

Annual pay increases are negotiated nationally on behalf of councils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and as such, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council cannot enter into separate local negotiations on pay with any of the unions which represent employees. The 2021-22 pay award has been agreed by a national collective Pay Agreement on 28 February 2022 therefore there is no national pay dispute in respect of 2021/22 Pay and the 2022-23 national pay negotiations have not yet commenced.

Anyone planning to attend any Council facilities during the period of industrial action is asked to check with the venue in advance.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has reiterated its offer to meet with the three recognised trade unions (Unite, NIPSA and GMB) to seek a local resolution to this dispute and we have asked the trade union side for their proposal on what they feel would resolve this dispute within the agreed local negotiating arrangements.

The Council apologises for any inconvenience caused and would ask for your continued support during this period.

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