The chair of the Employer's Side of Whitley Council has criticised a union spokesman for bringing a disagreement over sick pay into the public arena

Eric Holmes from the Unite Union has attacked an apparent change to the amount of pay received by someone who is off work with an industrial injury.

It's after one of his members who had been off for six months was told their pay was being halved.

Mr Holmes believes the change is down to an individual interpretation of the agreement by what he terms a "low ranking" member of HR staff.

But Alf Cannan MHK says he's very disappointed Mr Holmes issued a press release on the matter when it should be solved through the proper channels within Whitley Council.

He says he doesn't believe this is the right way to sort such matters, but he think the whole issue of sick pay needs addressing.