It will include teachers, healthcare workers, civil servants, bus and train drivers and workers at the PSNI.
The public can expect widespread disruption to all those services and more.
The chief executives of NI’s health and social care trusts have said Thursday’s planned strike action will have a “profound impact” on services.
In a joint statement they warned that the strike will affect services on a “massive and unprecedented scale”.
Meanwhile, education bodies have warned that the widespread disruption to education caused by the upcoming strike action will have a further detrimental impact on children and young people across Northern Ireland.
Which unions are striking?
A total of 15 unions have announced they will be taking action:
Why are they taking action?
Unions say the “unprecedented demonstration” comes after two years without a functioning Stormont Executive after the DUP collapsed the institutions in protest against post-Brexit trade arrangements for Northern Ireland.
That, unions say, has led to “growing paralysis and crisis across public sector services”.
Some £584m to address public sector pay issues has been offered by the government as part of a financial package of more than £3.3bn for the return of a Northern Ireland Executive.
But a pre-Christmas deal to restore Stormont was ruled out by the DUP which has said it will engage further with the Government in the coming days and weeks on the “substantive and outstanding issues to work toward securing an agreement”.
Unions are calling on the NI Secretary to release the funds while the head of the civil service here has written to Chris Heaton-Harris saying “urgent action is required” to address public sector pay disparity. Jayne Brady said she was conscious that political engagement on the formation of an Executive is at a “sensitive and critical juncture”, and of the need to “avoid any action that might cut across that process”.
In a statement, a NIO spokesperson said: “It’s disappointing to see leaked correspondence at this sensitive time. Our absolute priority and full focus is to see a restored executive delivering for people and workers in Northern Ireland.
“We have offered a fair and generous package worth £3 billion – which will help a restored executive address a range of pressing issues in the round – from public sector pay to support with ensuring sustainable public services. This offer is on the table for parties to take forward at pace.”
Mr Chris Heaton-Harris earlier said he can see “no barriers” preventing an Executive being formed now and said, if it isn’t by Friday, he will make decisions on how to move forward.
NI Secretary: Hard to see any barriers” for the restoration of devolved government in Northern Ireland
He did not rule out calling a fresh Assembly election, adding that he will be laying legislation in Parliament next week regarding NI governance if power-sharing is not restored.
Rallies
Six parades will take place in Belfast on Thursday, three organised by the NI Committee: Irish Congress Of Trade Unions and three by Unite the Union.
They include those starting at the Mater Hospital, Lisburn Road passing Belfast City Hospital, as well as those departing from the Short Strand, Duncrue Street and the Falls Road.
They will lead to Belfast City Hall where speeches will be made.
The Fermanagh Council of Trade Unions will hold a parade in Enniskillen.
Derry Trades Union Council has organised two parades, one departing from Altnagelvin Hospital and another from the Strand Road with both converging at the Guildhall.
Omagh Trade Union Council will start its parade at Crevenagh Road with the route ending at the High Street.
Which roads will be gritted and should I still travel?
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) is warning of disruption to many services – particularly the gritting service – and said no travel should be undertaken unless absolutely necessary.
Colin Sykes from the Department for Infrastructure said: “Road conditions will be particularly hazardous, I would just say only travel if you absolutely have to and you are going to be very careful on the road network.”
Speaking to the BBC, he said the motorway network and the A1 will be treated – but it will be a struggle to deliver any other element of the winter service programme.
He added: “It is very difficult to replace that vital service
“The motorway network and the A1 will be treated as normal because they fall under a contract that we deliver. Some of our high ground we’re able to use contractors for snow clearance in particularly difficult areas. We are making contingency plans to do as much as we can.
“Road conditions will be particularly hazardous. Reduce speeds, be very mindful of other drivers and be aware that road conditions can change as you travel.”
Unions have been asked a second time for a derogation which would allow further treatment of roads, he said.
“They have said in the event of an emergency that staff would be available,” he said.
“I can understand why unions and their members have taken these steps,” he said. “It’s an unprecedented position we’re in.”
Where possible, contingency plans are being put in place, but it is expected there will also be widespread disruption on Thursday, which will affect the following services:
Immediately following the day of action, members of the GMB and Unite unions will continue with a week of industrial action until 26 January 2024.
Again, this will impact on gritting services.
Will my GP be operating?
Deputy chair of the Northern Ireland general practitioners committee Frances O’Hagan said the GPs will be operating – but services around them won’t.
“Your GP will still be operating but all our other services around us won’t be operating, which will impact the service we can deliver. “We won’t have any treatment rooms operating so you can’t get your bloods done, can’t get your dressings done, can’t get an ECG done, there’s no transport for the labs so even if you did get your bloods done they can’t go to the labs,” she said.
An emergency-only service will be in place – something which can’t wait til the next day such as a heart problem, she said.
“Anything routine we’ll be saying no, we won’t be offering that. We don’t want anyone injured getting in to the surgery.
“It’s really shameful that we’ve got to this situation. All of these workers have the right to strike and we fully support them. What we want is to get back up and operating some service in Stormont so we can get these people the money they deserve.”
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
