Education strike: major disruption expected to a number of NI schools
Classroom assistants and school bus drivers among those taking industrial action
Last updated 15th Nov 2023
By Hannah Patterson
Major disruption was expected today (Wednesday) at a number of schools across Northern Ireland as non-teaching and support staff began a 48-hour strike.
Those taking to the picket lines include bus drivers, school catering staff, classroom assistants, cleaners and other support workers.
Other Education Authority support staff trade unions are joining the industrial action tomorrow (Thursday) including Unison, GMB and NIPSA.
Unite say the strike action is likely to cause significant disruption to many schools given the concentration of Unite membership in school bus transport, catering, admin, cleaning, classroom assistants and other roles.
It has argued that the pay and regrading review is needed to ensure staff retention.
Unite regional officer Kieran Ellison spoke to Downtown Radio & Cool FM.
“It’s not how we would like to deal with the situation," he said.
"But honestly many schools will have to close.
"Schools do not run without the support staff; the caretaker who opens it up in the morning, the bus driver who brings the child to school, the classroom assistant who is in the classroom helping the teacher educate the child, including education needs assistants, the catering staff who cook the dinners, the cleaning staff who clean when the day is over, the admin staff… so really these are the people who don’t directly teach the child, but they absolutely are the fabric of the school who allow the school to function on a daily basis. They have been on poverty pay for too long.”
And he added: “There are far too many vacancies and far too many people leaving the school, and without this funding, the crisis of retention continues.”
Meanwhile, Department of Education permanent secretary Dr Mark Browne said the strike action "will undoubtedly cause significant disruption to services right across the education sector and have a major impact on parents and pupils, including our most vulnerable children and young people".
He described the move as "disappointing", saying a pay award, which covers non-teaching staff, was agreed on November 1 for 2023-24.
It has been provided to the Education Authority to allow the award to be implemented as soon as possible.
"I would urge everyone concerned to reconsider, in light of the serious ramifications of this strike and the severe disruption that will be caused," Dr Browne added.