Northern Ireland strikes: Police Federation urges lawful protests

People taking part in Thursday's public sector strike should keep protests proportionate and lawful, the chair of the Police Federation has said.

It comes after one trade union leader suggested civil disobedience such as blocking roads and occupying buildings could be the pay dispute's next step.

Liam Kelly warned such action would put extra strain on officers.

He added that those officers are in dispute over their own pay, but are not legally allowed to strike.

Mr Kelly said his members are also "angry, frustrated and dismayed" by the actions of Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris.

He accused the secretary of state of "using public sector pay as a blunt way of bludgeoning and bullying for political ends".

Thousands of workers across Northern Ireland are due to hold a co-ordinated strike on Thursday, bringing many public services to a halt.

Workers taking part in the 24-hour stoppage will include health staff, teachers, bus drivers, train crews and civil servants.

The Police Federation, which represents the interests of rank and file officers, pointed out that members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) cannot join the strike.

In a statement, Mr Kelly said: "Our officers are also public sector employees who have been waiting some five months for a pay award to be signed off.

"They understand only too well the challenges facing public sector colleagues and fully sympathise with them in their attempt to right a wrong.

"By law, it is illegal for police officers to strike, but their absence on a picket line shouldn't be misinterpreted."

Last month, Mr Heaton-Harris offered £584m to help settle public sector pay claims but the cash could only be released if Northern Ireland's power-sharing government is restored.

The secretary of state has said he has no legal power to get involved in public sector pay disputes as it is a devolved matter.

However, Mr Kelly said the government was "behaving disgracefully by employing such tactics against workers".

He added that there was still time for Mr Heaton-Harris to step in and avert "this massive, unprecedented strike".

"I would urge him to release the funds to address all public sector pay awards immediately and do what's required to prevent Northern Ireland descending into a state of total chaos."

Meanwhile, Mr Kelly also appealed to all workers to resist any calls to block roads or occupy buildings.

"Any such action would inevitably place an additional strain on policing at a time when our officers least need the pressure."

He said the federation expected that Thursday's large-scale industrial action would "result in a hefty increase in calls for police assistance" and he pleaded with strikers not to exacerbate the situation.

It comes after Patrick Mulholland, the deputy general secretary of the trade union Nipsa, told the Belfast Telegraph that if protestors have to block a road or occupy a building, then that is what they should do.

Gerry Murphy, from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), told BBC News NI that view was not endorsed by all unions "at the moment".