Bradley: ‘SDLP says no to MLA pay increase’
SDLP Newry and Armagh MLA Dominic Bradley has said the SDLP does not support the decision of the Independent Financial Review Panel to give MLAs an 11% pay increase. Speaking to Newry Times, Mr Bradley said, “The SDLP is completely opposed to this decision to award an 11% pay increase to MLAs and this attack on constituency staff who provide an important service to people who find themselves in hardship.”
He continued, “This is a difficult time. Workers are being forced to accept pay freezes. The British Government is trying to impose increased employee pension contributions at the beginning of April. It would be plain wrong for MLAs to accept a pay increase at a time when people in our communities are suffering and dole queues are lengthening. The SDLP will, as is our tradition, stand shoulder to shoulder with the people we represent. We will also fight to protect workers in constituency offices and any slash in the ability to provide a first class constituency service to the people of Northern Ireland.”
“This decision flies in the face of what the Assembly should be doing for people. It does nothing to assist job creation and will put a strain on advice services in our communities at a time when people need them more than ever because of unemployment and looming benefit cuts,” the MLA added.
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