More than three thousand workers at Translink, Northern Ireland‘s public transport operator, will strike today (Thursday 1 February) in the latest stage of their campaign for a pay rise that matches the increasing cost of living.

Three transport trade unions – Unite, GMB and SIPTU – started their sixth one-day strike since balloting for industrial action in October and November on a staggered basis from midnight. The strike will take place on Ulsterbus, Metro and the Glider, and will mean that no bus or rail services will run in Northern Ireland.

The strikes follow the failure of Translink to make a pay offer to its workers. The unions explain that public transport funding has been constrained, with no money for a cost-of-living pay increase being made available in what they describe as a “punitive budget imposed by secretary of state Chris Heaton-Harris”.

Unite the Union says that no increase in pay is the equivalent of a real-terms pay cut of 11.4 percent as prices continue to rise. The union has accused Heaton-Harris of punishing workers during the recent political stalemate.

Although recent political developments have seen the return to power-sharing government at Stormont, the authorities have still not offered an acceptable pay rise to the public transport unions. The unions say that there is also “no clarity on the timing of such an offer or even a timeframe for negotiations”.

Unite the Union’s general secretary Sharon Graham said, “Bus and Rail workers rightfully expect a pay increase that protects them from the worst inflationary surge in generations. Instead in a complete abdication of responsibility to its workers, Translink has failed to make any offer.

“As a result public transport workers have no alternative but to continue with planned strike action. They have the full support of Unite in their fight to win respect and a cost of living pay increase.”

GMB regional organiser Peter Macklin said: “Regardless of the latest developments at Stormont, our members are still facing the prospect of a zero per cent offer made last year being imposed. A few years ago, these workers were being hailed as frontline heroes. They deserve better and they are ready and willing to strike to secure it.

“At any point, if a meaningful pay offer is received then that is something our members will consider and respond to appropriately but in the absence of any movement, we have no alternative but to proceed with the planned action.”

SIPTU regional organiser Niall McNally said: “In the aftermath of the 18 January one day public sector strike, secretary of state Chris Heaton-Harris said he would move to address the pressures on the public sector finances but as yet that has not translated into any offer for workers.

“We are hearing a lot of promises but so far we have no pay offer or even a timeline for a pay offer. Without that the unions will proceed with our agreed plans for further and escalated strike action in this dispute.”