People Before Profit Councillor Shaun Harkin has said that NI Housing Executive CEO Grania Long should extend the Christmas spirit to workers striking for a cost of living pay rise.
Said Cllr Harkin: “Housing Executive maintenance workers have been on strike for 16 consecutive weeks up to Christmas, and a total of 19 weeks this year.
“That’s an incredible show of determination by workers and UNITE but it’s also unacceptable for their demands to be ignored for so long.
“It’s time for the Housing Executive CEO Grania Long to extend the Christmas spirit to workers who need a pay rise.
“A consequence of NIHE management’s decision to stonewall is essential maintenance work not being done across the city.
“We have contacted the HE making clear the hazard this is causing for residents in many areas.
“Essential maintenance work needs to be done before someone is injured.
“We are very aware of the pressures on the Housing Executive. We champion the mission of the Housing Executive regularly and support demands it to be properly funded to build new stock and properly renovate existing stock for tenants.
“However, we also expect workers to be treated fairly, especially in the middle of a cost of living crisis.”
