Hundreds of public transport workers are to strike over pay in Northern Ireland during the Open Championship golf tournament in Portrush. The news was announced by the TSSA trade union on Friday morning, just days before the event is set to begin. Over a quarter-of-a-million visitors are expected to visit Portrush and the wider north coast and North West areas of Northern Ireland during the course of the prestigious golf tournament. The TSSA announcement also comes just days after Translink revealed a public transport plan for the tournament , with extra buses and trains planned. Read more: Major £7 million hotel expansion opens ahead of The Open Read more: Rory McIlroy through the years as golfer debuts sharp new look ahead of The Open Translink, meanwhile, say they "remain committed to achieving a positive resolution" to the planned strike. Both buses and trains look likely to be impacted by the strike action if no resolution is found. In a statement, a union spokesperson said: "TSSA members in Translink are to strike over pay, with dates scheduled to coincide with the Open golf championship at Portrush. "Walkouts will take place on Friday the 18th and Saturday 19th of July raising the prospect of a complete stoppage of rail services, and impacting on bus services. An offer received from Translink on Wednesday was rejected by TSSA as it failed to address members’ aspirations. "The industrial action is therefore due to commence for Northern Ireland Railways from 00:01 on Friday 18th July 2025 until 23:59 on Saturday 19th July 2025 "In Ulsterbus - the strike action will take place from 00:01 on Friday 18th July 2025 until 23:59 on Saturday 19th July 2025. "TSSA members at Northern Ireland Railways and Ulsterbus (operating as Translink) strongly backed the industrial action in a dispute mainly over pay." The statement continued: "Members who work in Supervisor Grades (including railway controllers) as well as Clerical, Management, Professional & Technical Grades (MPT) overwhelmingly voted for both strike action and action short of a strike. "Within Supervisor grades at NI Railways support for strike action was over 90 per cent in favour. There were similar results in other areas – including Ulsterbus and Management grades at N I Railways with over 80 per cent support." Maryam Eslamdoust, General Secretary, TSSA said: “We are keen to meet Translink to resolve the ongoing disputes for all our members. However, so far, the company has only made an inadequate offer to the Supervisor grades and completely ignored our Clerical and MPT members. This is not the way to resolve a pay dispute. “I met the Infrastructure Minister, Liz Kimmins, last week to impress the urgency of this issue. Regrettably, it seems that both Translink and the Minister are sitting on their hands and hoping that these disputes will go away. That’s simply not going to happen." The union boss added: "Ultimately the responsibility for any disruption during The Open rests with Translink and the Minister. All we are asking for is the same deal that has been offered to other staff in Translink. The company is trying to fob us off with less, but TSSA members have shown with their overwhelming support in the ballot for strike action that they are not prepared to accept that. “TSSA urges Translink to return to the table immediately with a fair and meaningful offer for all our members. Otherwise, we’ll see them on the picket line.” A Translink spokesperson said: "“We remain committed to achieving a positive resolution to the ongoing dispute with TSSA trade union. Engagement has been continuous, including meetings earlier this week. “The majority of the workforce have already accepted a similar offer. To support progress, we are open to working with the Labour Relations Agency to help facilitate a mutually agreeable outcome." The Translink statement added: "We remain committed to ensuring there is no impact to services.” For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here