McCrossan slams DAERA attack on workers’ rights

Daniel McCrossan MLA has slammed a threat from DAERA to cut the wages of vets for taking industrial action.

Government vets working at ports, meat plants and in food safety have been threatened with pay deductions of up to a quarter of their wages.

“Any member of staff who refuses to completely fulfil their contractual obligations will be issued with a notice advising them that an amount will be withheld from their pay an amount equivalent to 25% of their daily rate of pay on each day that such a breach of terms and conditions persists,” a letter from a DAERA official stated.

SDLP Opposition AERA Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan MLA has slammed a threat from DAERA to cut the wages of vets for taking industrial action.

A department official told a union that government vets could face cuts of 25% to pay for taking action short of a strike.

West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan said:“This is a disgraceful attack on workers’ rights from DAERA and the Minister must urgently clarify his position on this. Instead of working with unions to resolve this dispute, they have turned to threats of pay deductions that will only escalate the situation further.

“Veterinary staff play a vital role within DAERA, from carrying out animal health checks and safeguarding welfare standards to supporting our farming community and protecting public health.

“At a time when the Executive has failed to progress the Good Jobs Bill, it is alarming that a government department thinks this is an appropriate way to deal with a legitimate workplace dispute and workers exercising their lawful right to industrial action. I urge the Minister to move away from this approach, get around the table and resolve this dispute.”

Veterinary staff employed by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) had taken industrial action in a long‑running dispute over pay and grading.

More than 20 vets, represented by the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA), were involved in the dispute, which had remained unresolved for over a decade. The union says repeated attempts to secure meaningful engagement had failed.

The dispute was formally notified to DAERA on 20 March, but initial contact from the Department did not occur until 18 May. NIPSA criticised what it describes as a lack of urgency in addressing the issue.

Initially recruited as veterinary officers on a lower pay grade than veterinary inspectors, the affected staff have since been upgraded following a review in 2024.

Their industrial action stems from their bid to secure retrospective pay and conditions.

Industrial action began on 1 May, with members withdrawing from on‑call duties, training activities and supervision of on‑farm TB testing. With no progress made, the action intensified from 1 June to include withdrawal from on‑farm TB testing and a range of certification and technical duties.

The escalation was expected to significantly impact service delivery, including delays in testing high‑risk TB animals, disruption to meat export certification, and potential delays for imported live animals and animal products at Northern Ireland ports.

The dispute comes amid wider concerns around veterinary staffing pressures within DAERA and increasing reliance on agency provision. The union has also welcomed an invitation to meet the Stormont AERA Committee.

NIPSA Assistant Secretary Alan Law said:

“Our members have shown considerable patience, yet DAERA has failed to engage meaningfully to resolve this long‑standing issue.

“This situation is entirely avoidable. We remain ready to enter negotiations immediately, but that requires a willingness from the Department that has so far been absent.

“The escalation is already impacting essential services, and responsibility for that disruption rests with DAERA management.

“Our priority is securing a fair and sustainable resolution while protecting the integrity of veterinary services in Northern Ireland.”

A statement from the department said it supported the right of staff to “participate in lawful trade union activity” and has sought throughout the dispute to engage constructively with union representatives.

“The department has not taken this step lightly but has a responsibility to ensure that public funds are managed appropriately and that remuneration paid to staff reflects the performance of contractual duties,” the statement said.

“The department remains committed to constructive engagement with Nipsa and staff representatives in an effort to resolve the current dispute, has agreed to engage in collective conciliation facilitated by the Labour Relations Agency and looks forward to that process.”