Members of the Unite union staged a protest outside Craigavon Civic Centre on Monday following the sacking of a union rep earlier this month.
The rally was held prior to ABC Council’s full monthly meeting.
Regional Secretary for Unite, Susan Fitzgerald, led the protest as dozens of Unite members stood in solidarity for their dismissed colleague.
The sacking, Unite say, was the latest in a series of actions about which unions have raised concerns.
Related: Unite the Union says ABC Council sacking of member was ‘hostile act’
Unite has formally registered a trade dispute with ABC Council and the union is proceeding to ballot members for industrial action in response.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “An attack against a union rep is an attack against every union member in a workplace. Unite cannot and will not accept this attack against our shop steward.
“The council has been put on notice that Unite will use all the power in its arsenal to get this disgraceful decision overturned.”
Regional secretary Susan Fitzgerald added: “Senior management at Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon borough council appear intent on creating a hostile environment for unions. If they do not reverse their stance they will be met head on by the strength of Unite.
“Unite is in the process of balloting our members for industrial action; management need to back off and reinstate our rep.”
“An attack against a union rep is an attack against workers & the trade union movement as a whole” – Regional Secretary Susan Fitzgerald @1977susan speaking at yesterday’s solidarity protest at Craigavon Civic Centre. Hands off our reps! pic.twitter.com/Ue0ESXvOWA
— Unite the Union NI (@UniteunionNI) June 25, 2024
