UNISON organiser, Seán Brady, has raised further concerns for the future of North Belfast Community Transport today (Wednesday April 22). The NBCT project provides low cost transport to hundreds of community and voluntary organisations across the city and is set to close on May 7 if there is not immediate intervention to save the project.
 
He said: “Since June 2008, employees have been working under severe pressure to sustain the project with no line management. They have experienced problems with wages and are currently owed close to £4500 for work carried out. The closure of the project will mean not only further unemployment in a time of economic hardship, but also crucially the closure of a resource which many other community organisations depend upon. Low cost transport is not readily available in north Belfast, and many community organisations cannot afford to lose this resource.”
 
Since this issue was made public the employees have been put on protective notice with their employment due to end on May 7. During this time community and political representatives have voiced their strong opposition to the solvency of this essential community service.
 
Seán continued:
 
“Over 300 community workers representing the projects availing of NBCT have signed the petition to save the project. Political representatives including MLA's for the area have voice their support for the project. One community transport organisation has agreed in principal to enter discussions about taking responsibility for the project in future. There is no good reason why this project should cease to exist. Our members in NBCT are dedicated to continuing to provide this service to the north Belfast community.”
 
UNISON members are calling for:
- The immediate payment of all outstanding wages owed to NBCT employees
- The immediate convening of a committee, made up of management, employees, UNISON, community stakeholders, and local politicians to explore the options available to sustain the project
 
Seán concluded: “The effect of this project ending will be felt by all of the community groups who currently depend on the affordable transport NBCT provides. This is unacceptable and it is clear that the employees, the community it provides for, and the politicians who represent that community want to save NBCT. It is now time for all stakeholders to sit together and develop a plan to do just that.”
 
“It is extremely disappointing that the directors of North Belfast Community Transport have yet to write officially to the union, or request a meeting, to outline their difficulties and explore ways of resolving this. UNISON is willing to engage with anyone involved to successfully save this project and our members’ jobs.”