Northern Ireland FE: see you on the picket line on Thursday 18 January

I am writing to let you know I will be in Northern Ireland on Thursday 18 January to support the incredibly important strike action we are taking, called alongside other public sector unions in ICTU. 

As you may be aware, the date is to coincide with the now-abandoned deadline for an election and the date issued by the Secretary of State for the restoration of Stormont with £3.3billion funding package. Money has been earmarked to settle the outstanding pay disputes in the public sector should the Executive return. After your sustained striking last semester, lecturers need to be at the top of the queue for pay resolution. Public sector workers should not be forced to wait due to political failure. 

I will be visiting picket lines and addressing the ICTU rally at City Hall in Belfast at 12 noon. I hope to see as many members out in our usual loud and colourful style as possible.  

UCU and proud.

Jo Grady 
UCU general secretary