NIPSA challenges DAERA threat of 25% pay deductions for veterinary staff taking lawful industrial action
The Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA) has condemned DAERA’s decision to threaten pay deductions against veterinary staff participating in lawful Action Short of Strike (ASOS), describing the move as an unnecessary escalation of the ongoing dispute.
The union was responding to correspondence issued by the Department on 22 July 2026 indicating that staff participating in elements of the industrial action could face deductions of up to 25% of their daily pay.
Alan Law, one of NIPSA’s senior negotiators on Civil Service issues, said: "NIPSA is disgusted by the Department’s decision to threaten loyal and professional staff with significant pay deductions for participating in lawful industrial action. Rather than addressing the issues at the heart of this dispute, DAERA has chosen to target the very staff who have continued to deliver vital services through their commitment and professionalism.”
The union said many of the activities identified by the Department have historically been sustained through staff goodwill and challenged DAERA’s justification for applying a blanket 25% pay deduction.
Alan Law continued: "The Department has announced a 25% pay deduction but has provided no explanation as to how that figure was reached. NIPSA does not accept that the duties affected by the Action Short of Strike are contractual and will regard any deduction from pay as unlawful. Veterinary staff undertake a wide range of specialist duties across disease control, public health, exports, portal operations and field veterinary work. DAERA has failed to provide evidence that a blanket deduction of 25% is proportionate.”
As a result, NIPSA has issued a Pre-Action Protocol Letter challenging the legality of the proposed deductions.
The union also criticised what it describes as DAERA’s failure to engage meaningfully in efforts to resolve the dispute.
NIPSA proposed engagement through the Labour Relations Agency (LRA) on 18 June as a route to a negotiated settlement. While the Department subsequently indicated a willingness to participate in conciliation, no dates for talks have yet been arranged.
Alan Law added: "A pathway to resolving this dispute already exists. NIPSA proposed engagement through the Labour Relations Agency more than a month ago, yet the Department has failed to arrange meaningful discussions aimed at reaching a settlement.
"DAERA would be better focused on engaging in negotiations than threatening staff who are exercising their lawful rights. The Permanent Secretary must now take urgent action to de- escalate the dispute and commit to meaningful engagement through the LRA process.”
In response a DAERA spokesperson stated: “DAERA supports the right of staff to participate in lawful trade union activity and has sought throughout this dispute to engage constructively with Trade Union Side 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 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.”