Workers’ presence at Stormont to demand MLAs refuse to support any budget that does not deliver a pay and grading review 

After six years of failure to implement the review and a staffing crisis, education workers have had enough

Over a thousand Unite the union members employed as school support workers will be taking the first of three days strike action tomorrow (Monday 20 May). Strike action is due to commence from 00.01 (Monday) and continue until 23.59 on Wednesday 22 May. Employers have been notified of two further strike dates in June (3 and 4).

The strikes are being coordinated with NIPSA and GMB who will also be striking from tomorrow and Unison who continue to take action short of strike. The strike is likely to result in considerable disruption to schools across Northern Ireland.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “School support workers in Northern Ireland have been left behind – they are underpaid, suffering a staffing crisis and the equality issues at the root of the pay and grading review remain unaddressed.

“Our members working as school support workers have the full and continued backing of Unite in their fight to secure implementation of this long overdue review.”

Members of Unite have been involved in industrial action for two years, in seeking implementation of a pay and grading review which was first instructed to be delivered in 2018. No funding for the review was included in either the executive’s public sector pay package in February or in the draft budget for 2024/25.

Unite regional officer Kieran Ellison said: “Alongside picket lines, Unite will be organising a workers protest at Stormont. We are calling on MLAs to sign a pledge that they will vote down any budget that does not include funding to deliver the pay and grading review. If MLAs are genuinely standing in solidarity with our members that should not be a problem.

“After six years waiting, education workers in Northern Ireland have had enough. MLAs must now deliver for low paid school support workers and the children, including special educational needs children, they assist.”