Trade union leaders in Northern Ireland today called a half-day stoppage in protest at the murder of a young Catholic postal worker.
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Mr Tom Gillen, northern spokesman of the Irish Congress of Unions, confirmed the move after a meeting at Stormont with the First Minister David Trimble and Deputy First Minister Mark Durkan.
Union leaders met them to discuss the murder of Daniel McColgan (20) at a postal depot in the loyalist Rathcoole area, and the death threats on Catholic teachers at the weekend.
Meanwhile, postal workers in the greater Belfast area are to stage a 24-hour stoppage tomorrow in protest at the murder of their colleague.
The decision was announced after union representatives met Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid at Hillsborough Castle today.
Up to 2,000 workers will be involved in the stoppage when Mr McColgan's funeral takes place tomorrow. All deliveries were suspended today.
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Daniel McColgan (20):
murdered by the UDA |
The father of one was shot dead as he reported for work at a postal depot in Rathcoole, a sprawling loyalist housing estate on the fringes of north Belfast. The UDA's south-east Antrim brigade leadership is based in the estate. Two people have been arrested and are being questioned.
The killing was claimed initially by the Red Hand Defenders, but the UDA later claimed the murder in its own name, an unusual move that may signal a new determination by the organisation to step up its campaign of sectarian attacks.
"We are calling for support and co-operation from employers given the unprecedented nature of recent events", Mr Gillen said.
"We feel that it is an expression of how seriously we take these concerns and we are making contact with Government departments to see how we can do this."
The stoppage will take place on Friday after a lunchtime rally outside Belfast City Hall.
Mr Gillen said all emergency service cover would be provided, plus transport to take workers home. There were also be a two-minute silence at workplaces tomorrow to coincide with the funeral of the 20-year-old postman.
Mr Gillen said the First and Deputy First Minister shared their fears about the upsurge in violence in north Belfast but Mr Trimble had expressed concerns about Friday's proposed walkout.
"They are concerned with what the First Minister described as a strike. We would not call it as a strike. It is an opportunity for workers to identify with the whole communities concerned".
Earlier Sinn Féin president, Mr Gerry Adams, claimed the British government was not doing enough to confront loyalist paramilitaries in north Belfast.
Mr Adams said: "There is a marked reluctance to face up to the UDA because there is a different attitude to violence when it comes from loyalists and because many of those involved in that organisation are in the pay of the British government."
PA