School support staff in Unite prepare to recommence strike action

Unite’s members in education have responded with disappointment and anger after being informed by the education minister that the Northern Ireland executive has adopted a budget that fails to provide the funding needed for the long awaited pay and grading review for school support staff.

The decision comes despite the department of finance having accepted the department of education’s business case for the review. The national joint committee, the body which sets pay for education workers in Northern Ireland, first instructed the pay and grading review should be delivered six years ago in 2018, to address equality and low pay concerns.

Unite members employed by the education authority have taken strike action repeatedly over the last two years about the issue.

Unite represents education workers across a variety of low paid positions including classroom assistants, bus drivers, bus escorts, catering, admin and other school support staff. Pay rates in 2023-24 for workers who provide personal care to special educational needs children, including on occasion having to conduct medical and life-saving procedures, can be as low as £11.92 an hour.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “It is disgraceful that low paid education workers are being told that there’s no money to fund a pay and grading review needed to deliver pay equality – six years after the NJC instructed it to be delivered.

“The Stormont executive must prioritise funds for education workers. Low pay is resulting in a staffing crisis which is leaving vulnerable children, at risk of being denied an education. Our education authority workers can count on the full and continued support of Unite in their fight to win pay equality and respect.” 

Unite regional officer for the workforce Kieran Ellison said: “Today’s news comes as a huge disappointment for our members. It seems that there is money for other issues but when it comes to workers and children’s education – it’s not a priority. 

“This review should have been delivered six years ago. There’s widespread anger among our members; Unite will be urgently engaging with the other education unions to bring forward wider industrial action. Those in authority need to start listening to avoid a wave of action across schools and education transport.”