The DUP Grouping on Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council say they “make no apology for at all times standing up for the ratepayer” as they urge unions to ballot their members on the “significant offer that is on the table”.
In a statement released to Armagh I, the DUP said there is a real concern that relations between the council and the wider public is “suffering damage” and that they are not content to see this situation persist as “we believe it will have longer term impacts”.
“There has been much discussion through social media in recent days with claims and counterclaims being made which are only making finding a resolution all the more difficult,” the statement read.
“Unlike other parties, rather than play politics with this issue, the DUP has instead given council officials the uninterrupted time and space to negotiate without agitation.
“However we make no apology for at all times standing up for the ratepayer, that is our duty as elected representatives.”
The statement continued: “The public are in contact with our representatives daily and as ratepayers they have high expectations of a resolution, given the significant offer that is on the table.
“There is now, more than ever, a need to see this strike action ended and on the basis of the need for service resumption and staff concerns being addressed, we understand why Council officials have again written to staff to provide them with this update on the latest offer.
“I urge all involved to redouble efforts to end this concerning impasse and resume the vital services which Council provides daily to the rate paying public. We trust that unions can now ballot their members on this deal.”
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