UNISON EDUCATION MEMBERS VOTE FOR STRIKE

UNISON PRESS RELEASE

UNISON EDUCATION MEMBERS VOTE FOR STRIKE

UNISON members working for the Education Authority will be taking to the picket line in the coming weeks. Thousands of workers have voted to strike and for action short of strike in a dispute that has seen them have to wait for up to 3 years to have their pay levels adjusted to reflect their work and worth.

Over 90% have voted for both strike and action short of strike.

UNISON members taking part in the industrial action will include classroom assistants, school cooks, school cleaners and caretakers, transport drivers, bus escorts, estates staff and clerical and administrative grades across all Education Authority functions.  They will combine together to deliver a strong message that they are no longer prepared to wait to have their issues resolved.

As unions and workers in Education await the outcome of the 2023 UK wide NJC pay negotiations the collapse of pay differentials in Northern Ireland comes sharply into focus.   They no longer reflect levels of responsibility and length of service and have been challenged by unions here for some years now.

The employer, the Education Authority, has made a case for additional funding from the Department but has also paused negotiations with unions.  The Department has gone silent and point to their budget allocation from the Secretary of State.  That budget has squeezed education services to an intolerable level.  Pupils, their families, and workers are bearing the brunt of cuts.

UNISON members strongly believe that education workers are now subject to the same punitive attack on public sector pay in Northern Ireland, which has hit health workers and civil servants, as a result of the actions of the Secretary of State and his unworkable budget.  

They are simply demanding their employer negotiate to resolve these issues and will not stand back from their fight to secure pay justice and proper funding for education services.

ENDS