People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin said,
“The Tory party is in crisis but still managed to insult nurses and public sector workers with yet another pay cut proposal.
“The RPI rate of inflation is already at 11.9% and is predicted to climb in the months ahead. Any pay offer below the rate of inflation is a pay cut. And that’s what this is.
“Trade unions were right to immediately condemn the pay dictate as yet another slap in the face for workers at the heart of vital public services.
“Disappointingly, Stormont Health Minister Robin Swann has announced he will accept the Tory pay cut and move to impose it on health and social care workers here. Swann and all five Executive parties backed a Tory pay cut for HSC workers for last year.
“People Before Profit stands united with workers and trade unions demanding above inflation pay rises.
“We’re backing unions to ballot their members now for industrial action. This will send a clear message to Westminster and all the establishment parties here intent on ramming through yet another insulting pay cut that workers are united and ready to fight.
“Westminster has demonstrated over the last number of years there is plenty of funding available when something is a priority. A coordinated campaign of industrial action and people power protest across these islands can challenge Westminster to fund above inflation pay rises and raise taxes on corporate billionaires.
“Stormont should back this effort instead of shamelessly continuing to repeat Tory propaganda.
“Above inflation pay rises along with price caps, profit caps and increasing benefits in line with inflation are ways the government can act now to protect as many people and organisations as possible.
“Everyone should get behind workers and trade unions prepared to take action for cost of living pay rises.”