UNISON EDUCATION SUPPORT WORKERS ON STRIKE – THURSDAY 16 NOVEMBER

UNISON lay leaders in EDUCATION support services have met and pledged to continue our campaign to win reform of the EA pay and grading system. Plans are well advanced to mobilise members who, on Thursday, will mount picket lines at hundreds of schools across Northern Ireland.

A decision was also taken to continue action short of strike until at least the end of January 2024.

In dispute with the Education Authority for some time now, workers will be sending a strong message from the picket lines to the Education Authority, the Department of Education and the absent MLAs that reform of their pay structure is long overdue and must be addressed without further delay.

A current uplift now being rolled out after months of delay will still contain within it unfair and inadequate pay levels.

Fence sitting and handwringing by the Department will no longer placate education workers.

They must mandate the employer to open negotiations towards a settlement of this dispute.