News

Thousands of UNISON education support service workers have pledged to bring their demands for pay improvement right to the Minister in situ and make their demands the centre of election debates leading up to the 5^th May.

In a recent consultation the union has received the backing of its members to make their demand for an EA pay and grading review of how the NJC agreement applies in Northern Ireland.

"We were promised this as part of the 2019-2021 pay deal" stressed Noreen Robinson, Lay Convenor for UNISON education workers.

Today, 31^st March, the health union, UNISON, will be addressing the Southern Health and Social Care Trust Board meeting focusing on their ‘Put NHS Pay Right’ pay campaign, the crippling costs of fuel whilst they deliver care in the community and UNISON’s concerns about the recent temporary reduction in services in Daisy Hill Hospital.

UNISON welcomes the news from the Assembly Yesterday, as Pat Catney’s Period Products (Free Provision) Bill, Rachel Woods’ Safe Leave (Paid Leave for Victims of Domestic Abuse) Bill and Clare Bailey’s Safe Access Zones Bill all passed in the Assembly.

Well done to the UNISONs Women’s Committee and the UNISON policy team who have campaigned and supported these issues over the years and have worked hard to make the change.

UNISON along with NIPSA, Unite and GMB met with Minister for Education, Michelle McIlveen today to discuss pay and to make the case for a COVID recognition payment for education workers.

Commenting on the meeting Louise O’Hara, Regional Organiser said, “The Department of Education must step up to the mark and take responsibility for the education workforce. The UNISON members who play their part in educating and keeping our children safe must be recognised and compensated fairly. Platitudes and thanks will not pay the ever increasing bills.”.