Northern Ireland Hit by Mass Strike Amid Political Deadlock

Workers are demanding pay rises in line with the rest of UK
Lack of devolved government holding up release of UK funds

Members of the Royal College of Nursing at a picket line outside Belfast City Hospital in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on Jan. 18.Photographer: Rob Stothard/Bloomberg

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By Jennifer Duggan

January 18, 2024 at 8:57 AM UTC

Updated on

January 18, 2024 at 2:08 PM UTC

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Public workers in Northern Ireland are taking part in a mass one-day strike to protest over public sector pay, a move expected to bring widespread disruption to the region.

As many as 170,000 workers from 17 unions — including public transport staff, nurses, civil servants and teachers — will walk out Thursday in a coordinated action billed by unions as Northern Ireland’s biggest strike in over 50 years. Workers are calling for pay increases to bring their incomes into line with the rest of the UK.