Education sector only seeking ‘fair pay rise’

MEMBERS of the union UNITE employed by the Education Authority (EA) will recommence industrial action tomorrow (Friday) as their battle for a fair pay rise wages on.

Last week was the first week of strike action taken by UNITE members working for councils, the Housing Executive and in education, and tomorrow, they have confirmed, strike action will again be taken by workers from the EA.

Many of those who form tomorrow’s picket line will have been present last Friday outside the EA offices in Omagh when members of UNITE, augmented by their comrades in NIPSA, demonstrated against their ‘substandard pay’.

Those involved in the industrial action include general transport staff, escorts, classroom assistants and special needs assistants belonging to UNITE, as well as Education Welfare Officers from NISPA.

The strike is expected to cause ‘substantial disruption’ to the school day.

Lead regional officer for UNITE, Kieran Ellison, said, “Given most of these workers are school bus drivers, it is likely that this strike action will result in considerable disruption to school transport.

“Full responsibility for this lies with the EA who have failed to make any response even after the first week of strike action. We are calling on them to come forward with a realistic pay offer to address our members’ pay expectations.”

Similarly, referring to the EA’s prospective response to tomorrow’s strike action, the Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, said, “If they don’t want more of the same, these employers will have to come to the table with a realistic offer. The workers can count on my union’s full support every step of the way.”