Minister Liz Kimmins’ continued squeeze creating mounting skills shortage – impacting the most vulnerable in society

Unite has challenged Infrastructure minister Liz Kimmins on her failure to properly fund public transport services. Following the announcement that bus and rail fares would be frozen for a second year without any commitment to compensate Translink, the publicly-owned passenger transport provider.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “The minister’s decision to announce a second fare freeze must be backed up by extra funding. Without that this will mean cuts. Our members and their services will not pay the price for an unfunded publicity-driven announcement.”

Unite wrote last week to the minister about concerns that protracted underfunding had led to Translink suspending its apprenticeship program last year. Unite asked the minister to ring-fence funding for apprenticeships in Translink but she failed to offer any commitment and said ‘decisions on apprenticeship recruitment remain matters for Translink’.

In the interim she announced fares would be frozen for a second year without committing any additional funding, a decision that further reduces Translink’s available income.

Deputy regional officer Davy Thompson said, “The minister’s response to Unite’s request was little more than an insult and was followed by an announcement of a second fare freeze without any committed funding. It is basic economics that capping fares while reducing funding has to be paid through cuts elsewhere to bus and rail services or staff.”

“The failure to train engineers in-house denies young people a chance at an apprenticeship and will led to further critical skills shortages threatening the prospect of the engineering function being outsourced.

“Any attempt to undermine or privatise Translink, or threats to services, jobs, pay or conditions will be met with the full industrial force of our union.”

Unite is concerned that the suspension of Translink’s apprentice programme will now extend into a second year. That would mean at least 60 young people being denied the chance for a quality apprenticeship and the prospect of a decent job.

ENDS…

For further information or to arrange an interview contact Donal O'Cofaigh, Unite campaigns & communications (NI), tel. 07810 157926.