Probation Board staff protest over pay in Belfast

By Q Radio News

Placard-waving Probation Board staff staged a lunchtime protest over pay in Belfast at lunchtime.

Members of the public sector trade union - NIPSA and its sister union NAPO picketed the Probation Board headquarters in North Street.

Members say they've been denied a pay increase since 2013.

Alison Millar, NIPSA General Secretary told Q Radio: " In addition Probation Board staff have been denied a pay increase, as many of the staff are at the maximum of their pay scale and this pay has not increased.  This makes Probation one of the worst affected public sector organisations across the UK".

Probation Board staff hold a lunchtime protest outside PBNI Headquarters in Belfast over pay. pic.twitter.com/GxSP2ZKqMi

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) 1 May 2019

Fiona Vaughan, Probation Officer with @PBNINews and representative of #NAPO addresses those picketing for pay reform outside their headquarters in Belfast this afternoon.
• pic.twitter.com/4WEB7N6auV

— Michael McGrane (@michaelmcgrane_) 1 May 2019

Ms. Millar continued: “It is totally unacceptable that Probation staff are one of the worst affected public sector organisations across the UK.  

"It currently takes 23 years before a member can reach the top of their pay band (which is the rate for the job).  

"NIPSA is calling for an urgent pay rise for Probation staff in Northern Ireland, who, through their work have been keeping communities safe, despite enormous pressure over the past few years.  

"NIPSA and our sister union NAPO are demanding that our members are treated with respect and receive the minimal pay rise which has been denied by the Department of Justice/Department of Finance. 

"In addition our members demand urgent negotiations on pay reform to ensure that low pay is addressed and our members receive an appropriate rate for the job which will ensure that our members are not in a dire financial position.”

The Probation Board for Northern Ireland - when asked for a comment - issued the following one line statement:

“PBNI understand the concerns of staff and are working to resolve the issue”.