Mayor clashes with party leader over MLA pay
SDLP Councillor Brian Heading said the 108 assembly members do not need a pay rise. His comments came after Alastair McDonnell suggested assembly members should get a pay increase and a better pension package.
MLAs currently receive a basic salary of £43,000 a year.
But Mr Heading said the Assembly members do not need a pay rise when so many people are struggling financially.
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Hide AdMr Heading, who cancelled the Mayoral Dinner to save money, said: “In the current economic climate of business closures and daily announcements of job losses, the idea of such an increase will be hard to stomach by the electorate.”
He continued: “On November 30 I stood with those expected to take a pay cut to fund their pension and those on minimum wage who would appreciate the opportunity to contribute to a pension.”
Mr Heading’s comments were welcomed by Ulster Unionist Councillor Ronnie Crawford. He said: “I warmly congratulate the Mayor on his opposition to the suggestion by his Party Leader Alistair McDonnell.”
Mr Crawford continued: “At a time of austerity and belt-tightening Mr. McDonnell’s remarks are insensitive and irresponsible.
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Hide Ad“He might have sought to emulate the example of the TD’s in the Republic who took a pay cut of 8% in order to share some of the pain being felt by the general public.”
“Cllr. Heading is showing a lot of commonsense by his comments and also by the measures he has already taken to cut spending in the Mayor’s office,” added Mr Crawford.