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Belfast Telegraph
6 days ago
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Translink confirms planned strike action during Open tournament ‘withdrawn' following last-minute deal
Members of the union group, Transport Salaried Staff Association (TSSA) working at Translink initially planned strike action for July 18 and 19, the second and third days of the Open competition in Portrush and the days likely to see the peak number of visitors flocking to the north coast. Around 280,000 spectators are expected over the next few days, with many using trains and buses to get there. The scheduled walk out was due to take place on midnight Friday. It would have included clerical staff, management, as well as professional and technical grades in the organisation. However, after extensive stalks over the past two days with the Labour Relations Agency (LRA), union officials and Translink, a last minute deal was struck. It was confirmed that union members would accept an agreed upon pay rise, halting the walk out. 'All proposed industrial action for today/tomorrow, 18–19 July has been withdrawn,' a Translink spokesperson said. 'All services are operating as scheduled including the special coach, bus, rail, and Park and Ride services for the 153rd Open Golf Championship in Portrush. The Open: International visitors share views on Portrush 'Full timetable details are available via the Journey Planner app and website Stating that 'significant progress' had been made, TSSA general secretary Maryam Eslamdoust said: 'We feel that sufficient progress has been made with Translink to suspend the planned strikes. 'This is not an end to the matter because it will now be up to our clerical and MPT members to decide if the offers made are good enough. 'From the start we have only asked for fairness and parity with other workers at Translink, and we could have reached this point some time ago had the company been in listening mode. 'Our members play a vital role - keeping public transport running safely every day of the year, with all the responsibility that entails – they should be paid accordingly.'
BBC News
6 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Planned industrial action by transport workers halted
Planned industrial action by transport workers in Northern Ireland this weekend has been than 200 workers from the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) have been involved in a dispute over days of industrial action were due to start on Friday, which could have disrupted some rail and bus services, ahead of The Open at Royal said that a "breakthrough" for its members came after two days of talks with union officials and Translink representatives, at the Labour Relations Agency. It said that last week, TSSA members working in supervisor grades (including railway controllers) at Translink had "accepted an offer of a pay rise which also halted a walkout" for Friday and said that the new offers will now be put to TSSA members "across the relevant groups. TSSA added that it "does not, at this stage, bring the dispute to a close but does suspend all planned industrial action".Maryam Eslamdoust, general secretary of TSSA, said the union feels "that sufficient progress has been made with Translink to suspend the planned strikes". "This is not an end to the matter because it will now be up to our clerical and MPT members to decide if the offers made are good enough," she added."Our members play a vital role - keeping public transport running safely every day of the year, with all the responsibility that entails – they should be paid accordingly."
ITV News
14-07-2025
- Business
- ITV News
World's top golfers descend on Portrush as The Open practice gets underway
Golf's Open championship is finally back in Northern Ireland as the world's top golfers descended on Royal Portrush before the 153rd edition of the tournament tees off on Thursday. One of the biggest events in the golf calendar is back in the seaside town after just six years. Normally a venue has to wait 10 years before the competition returns. Portrush has hosted the Open three times - the first in 1951. The first of four official practice days got underway on Sunday. Around 270,000 people are expected to hit the famous fairways of Portrush to get close to the action. The competition draws golf's greatest stars. All local hopes will be pinned on Holywood's Rory McIlroy. His first public appearance on a NI golf course since his historic Masters triumph which saw him complete golf's career grand slam. Rory's feat was the first time in 25 years someone had won all four of golf's majors and made him just the sixth man to complete the set. The Grand Slam winner said: "After the 18th and seeing all the kids and signing autographs, it's really really nice and I'm sure that will just build and build as the week goes on". The excitement around the fairways has boosted the numbers of domestic and international tourists, who in turn are spending money in local shops and the hospitality sector. The 2019 Open at Royal Portrush generated over £100million in economic benefits for Northern Ireland. Six years on, the Causeway Coast and Glens area and beyond looks set for another boost. More than a quarter of a million golf fans are expected to flock to the north coast for the championship. The head of Tourism Northern Ireland, John McGrillen, said: "The people who come here they don't just play golf, they visit all of the visitor attractions and they spend their money in local bars and restaurants. They make a huge contribution". All roads may lead to Portrush this week, but with tens of thousands of spectators imminent, organisers have recommended the use of public transport. Extra buses and trains are in place, but an industrial dispute at Translink could lead to services being suspended on Friday and Saturday. The transport network is expected to be "very busy" but it is hoped that the provision of 115,000 additional seats will ease pressures. There is a dedicated walking route set out for passengers from the course to Portrush station. For those with sea legs, water taxis will be on hand to ferry fans to the fairways, making upwards of 40 crossings daily from Greencastle. The Open Championship first took place at Royal Portrush in 1951. Brian Twite, 98, is believed to be one of the last surviving players. Now, 74 years later, he is reflecting on the magic of The Open. From his home in Australia, he told UTV that Royal Portrush is the 'most magnificent' course he has ever seen. Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.
Belfast Telegraph
14-07-2025
- Climate
- Belfast Telegraph
The Open: Warning issued to fans heading to Portrush amid significant weather change
The caution comes after warm and sunny weather over the weekend, which saw temperatures soar to 30C in Magilligan, Co Londonderry on Sunday. Showers are predicted for the majority of the week ahead, which coincides with the tournament in Royal Portrush. Tuesday, the third day of practice at the Open, will see cloudy skies with some showers and predictions of thundery conditions. The Open at Royal Portrush: What happened in 2019? However, there will be a return to some sunny spells with highs of 21C later in the day. Wednesday will see dry and sunny spells with highs of 22C. The first day of competition on Thursday will see a return to the showers, as temperatures will reach a maximum of 22C with some cloud cover. Scattered showers are in store for Friday with some bright spells and highs of 21C predicted. Practice got underway at the tournament earlier today as star attraction Rory McIlroy was first on the course, before thousands of golfing fans begin flocking to the seaside town. With a large number of fans heading to Portrush to watch the practice and competition hoping to get a glimpse of the likes of McIlroy and Shane Lowry, police have warned travellers to take extra care. Visitors have also been urged to avail of public transport for the event, with a Translink strategy having been put in place for those making the journey. 'We are advising road users to be mindful of the change in weather this morning here in Portrush, with more rain on the forecast,' said a spokesperson. 'If you are travelling to The Open today, please take extra care on the roads, as road surfaces are very slippery due to excess water. 'Reduce your speed and give more vulnerable road users such as cyclists and motorcyclists more room than usual, and don't take any risks when overtaking. 'Please also be reminded of the transport options available to you via our partners at Translink, with bus and rail options running again today. 'Remember to take your time and exercise caution. We want everyone to arrive here safely to enjoy their day.' Meanwhile, officers also reminded the public of an air exclusion zone over Royal Portrush this week for The Open. The restrictions will be in place from 4.30am to 9pm every day until July 21. The exclusion zone will restrict the use of drones and aircraft flying below 1,400 above sea level from entering the area above the course. These restrictions do not apply to police air support units, emergency medical services or those from the maritime and coastguard agency. 'These restrictions, which also cover the use of drones, are necessary to ensure public safety throughout the event,' a police spokesperson said. 'We have already made contact with clubs, associations and societies that we are aware of, who would regularly utilise airspace to ensure they abide by these restrictions. 'It's also worth noting, if you are detected breaching this order and end up with a criminal record, your travel and career prospects will be negatively affected.'
Belfast Telegraph
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Golf fever builds in Portrush as six-year wait for return of The Open is finally over
Excitement is at fever pitch in the seaside town, with a thrilling week of action on the cards at Royal Portrush as the world's greatest players vie for the Major title. The first of four official practice days got under way yesterday ahead of the sold-out tournament, which tees off on Thursday. US Masters winner Rory McIlroy is among the favourites to lay his hands on the coveted Claret Jug. McIlroy's hopes of heading for Royal Portrush with another title under his belt were dashed yesterday at the Scottish Open, where Chris Gotterup held off the Co Down star's challenge to claim his maiden DP World Tour title. But with a home crowd in north Antrim behind him, there are high hopes McIlroy could rekindle his fire on the course where he famously shot a record 61 as a 16-year-old. Who is Rory McIlroy and what is golf's Career Grand Slam? So too could Shane Lowry, who is hoping for a repeat of his success in 2019 when the championship was last played in Portrush. The Co Offaly is depicted on a large mural near the entrance to the course marking his triumph. Last year's Open champion Xander Schauffele is also in with a strong chance. Coleraine councillor Russell Watton said the huge sporting event will bring great economic benefits to the north coast. 'It will be a very busy weekend, there is no doubt about that,' he said. 'Rory McIlroy is very well supported here, it will be massive. "It's hard to go into Portrush even now, and that is just a week before the kick off to the main event.' Fellow councillor John Wisener echoed those sentiments. He said: 'I was actually just watching Rory at the Scottish Open. Sadly, I don't think we will have the weather we have had this weekend for it next week. 'But it will be fantastic for Portrush, all of the councillors have spoken about how this will benefit us economically. "But, it's all about the people, and if they enjoy themselves. 'I would like to see Rory win this year, I think it is a lot of pressure for him. "I believe the pressure of The Open will be more for him than the US Masters, since it's on his home soil. 'Shane Lowry won back in 2019, I was fortunate enough to go each day then. 'The North West 200 is great for the north coast, but this is something else. Spectators have been urged to avail of public transport for the event, with Translink partnering and Royal Portrush to develop a strategy to help spectators get to and from the course. There were fears that there would be a disruption to services on July 18 and 19 as a result of industrial action by train staff, but there is now an agreement in place with unions. All eyes are now on Portrush, with a staggering 5,000 hours of global television coverage expected to be generated as the tournament is beamed around the globe. The spectator village and its bars, shops and food outlets is fully stocked in anticipation of large crowds throughout the week.
