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Northern Ireland trade unions march against government cuts | Northern Ireland trade unions march against government cuts |
(35 minutes later) | |
More than 1,000 people have taken part in an anti-austerity rally in Belfast, in protest at cuts being introduced by the government at Westminster. | |
The rally was organised by the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU). | |
Health workers, civil servants, teachers and representatives of the Fire Service were among those taking part. | |
The government has argued the cuts are necessary to tackle the deficit. | The government has argued the cuts are necessary to tackle the deficit. |
The rally began with a march past City Hall to Custom House Square. The event was planned to coincide with protests in Glasgow and London. | |
The organisers said the protest was not just about sending a message to the coalition government in Westminster, it was also about decisions taken at Stormont. | |
The unions want child poverty, job cuts, welfare reform and corporation tax to be tackled. They said they hoped local ministers were listening. | |
The ITCU's Northern Ireland Committee represents more than 250,000 members in 36 trade unions across Northern Ireland. | The ITCU's Northern Ireland Committee represents more than 250,000 members in 36 trade unions across Northern Ireland. |
In a statement ahead of Saturday's march, the ITCU said the rally would "send a message to our MLAs and our MPs from all political parties that we the people are firmly opposed to the failed policy of austerity which destroys lives and futures". | In a statement ahead of Saturday's march, the ITCU said the rally would "send a message to our MLAs and our MPs from all political parties that we the people are firmly opposed to the failed policy of austerity which destroys lives and futures". |
Ten days ago, the Stormont Assembly voted in favour of the Welfare Reform Bill, supporting the biggest shake up of social security benefits in decades. | Ten days ago, the Stormont Assembly voted in favour of the Welfare Reform Bill, supporting the biggest shake up of social security benefits in decades. |
The changes will impact on thousands of people in Northern Ireland, affecting those in receipt of payments such as disability living allowance, housing benefit and employment support. | The changes will impact on thousands of people in Northern Ireland, affecting those in receipt of payments such as disability living allowance, housing benefit and employment support. |