JOINT INDUSTRY FRUSTRATION AT NEW PROPOSED TRANSPORT STRIKE DATES

05 December 2023

Reacting to hospitality and retail business owners’ frustration at new proposed transport strike dates, Hospitality Ulster, Chief Executive, Colin Neill, and Retail NI, Chief Executive, Glyn Roberts, said:

“The new proposed transport strike dates organised for around three of the busiest days of the year for the hospitality and retail sectors, across two vital weekends, has understandably left our members frustrated and anxious about what should be one of the most active periods for pubs, restaurants, and retailers across Northern Ireland”.

“It is no secret that custom and footfall around Christmas is used to sustain businesses in the leaner months of the new year, so it is hugely disappointing and somewhat unfair that this further planned strike action will disproportionately target and impact our sectors when they are already struggling. The timing of these strikes and the understanding from media reports about when they kick in are obviously set to cause as much disruption as possible. Business owners, staff, shoppers, and customers will suffer.”  

“We are committed to helping resolve this dispute where we can, and the offer still stands to meet directly with the Secretary of State to see what can be done to stave off the worst of business impacts that these strikes will have. This is not a moment for the Secretary of State to stick his head in the sand. Business closure is on the horizon if he doesn’t intervene”.