NIPSA Dispute Comes to an End

After 40 weeks of industrial action members of the largest trade union in the Six Counties rejected the leadership's call for a full-scale strike by 51-41, leaving the Executive with no other option but to accept the British Government's pay offer from last month.

John Corey, NIPSA General Secretary accused direct rule ministers of 'gross mishandling' that has led to "an angry, demoralised and demotivated civil service".

The dispute centred around cuts in civil service pay rates over the last two years and union leaders have vowed to fight on in pay negotiations expected in 2005.