Northern Ireland

Strike action by education support staff could escalate if demands not met, warns NIPSA

The first of three days of industrial action by thousands of non-teaching staff got underway on Monday

NIPSA Members protest at Stormont on Monday. Members employed by the Education Authority (non-teaching staff) had an expectation that the long overdue Pay and Grading Review, agreed with employers in 2019, would be addressed within the current Assembly budget. The deal, which would start to address levels of poverty pay that are endemic to the education sector, was supposed to be included in the new financial package (which formed a key part of the restoration of the N.I. Assembly). Education workers are among the lowest paid in society, with many working multiple jobs to make ends meet and the failure to implement the Pay and Grading review has pushed members further into poverty. Following meetings with the Education Minister, Paul Givan, and clarification that funding for the review is not available within the budget agreed by Stormont, NIPSA has been left with no option other than to take action to support its members. As a result, NIPSA, and the other Education trade union members, will take part in co-ordinated industrial action, beginning with school bus drivers who will strike on 20, 21, 22 May and 3, 4 June. PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
NIPSA members protest at Stormont on Monday. PICTURE: COLM LENAGHAN
By Suzanne McGonagle

Education support staff have warned that further strike action is “inevitable” if pay and grade review demands are not met.

NIPSA said on Monday that following strike action this week and next month, an estimated 20,000 workers could potentially take to the picket lines one again in September.

It comes as the first of three days of industrial action by thousands of non-teaching staff - including bus drivers, classroom assistants and canteen staff - got underway across the north.

The Unite, GMB and Nipsa trade union workers involved will walk out again on Tuesday and Wednesday and then on June 3 and 4 in a long-running dispute over pay and grading.

Among those taking action is Raymond Caldwell, a NIPSA bus driver at the Aughnacloy Transport depot.

He said “inflation has eaten into our pay”.

“I’m only getting about £12 an hour. It’s not good enough if you want to make a decent living.” he said.

“There’s a lot of responsibility in our job. You really have a lot of people behind you relying on you.

“This review was agreed so why has it not been paid? We’ve been ignored yet again.”

A number of schools were forced to close or partially shut on Monday, especially those who rely on EA buses, with around 250 Education Authority (EA) buses not running.

Some special schools were hardest hit, including Harberton Special School in Belfast, which had to close one of its campuses due to the industrial action.

NIPSA Members protest at Stormont on Monday. Members employed by the Education Authority (non-teaching staff) had an expectation that the long overdue Pay and Grading Review, agreed with employers in 2019, would be addressed within the current Assembly budget. The deal, which would start to address levels of poverty pay that are endemic to the education sector, was supposed to be included in the new financial package (which formed a key part of the restoration of the N.I. Assembly). Education workers are among the lowest paid in society, with many working multiple jobs to make ends meet and the failure to implement the Pay and Grading review has pushed members further into poverty. Following meetings with the Education Minister, Paul Givan, and clarification that funding for the review is not available within the budget agreed by Stormont, NIPSA has been left with no option other than to take action to support its members. As a result, NIPSA, and the other Education trade union members, will take part in co-ordinated industrial action, beginning with school bus drivers who will strike on 20, 21, 22 May and 3, 4 June. PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
Strike action will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday this week as well as two dates next month. PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN

The EA warned the strikes would have a “significant detrimental impact” on children.

But on Monday, Nipsa warned “if the pay and grading review, previously agreed with the employer, is not implemented, then an inevitable escalation of the action will take place in early September”.

Patrick Mulholland, NIPSA deputy general secretary said: “The pay and grading review was consulted on and agreed with the Education Authority and should have been implemented.

“Instead, our members, and all the other low paid education support staff have been left in limbo and told there is no money to put it in place.

Patrick Mulholland from Nipsa said education workers are being ‘pushed into poverty’
Patrick Mulholland from NIPSA

“These vital workers, essential to the daily operation of our schools and who provide a lifeline to the children across the country, are expected to get on with it and accept poverty pay.

“This clearly cannot continue, and a massive escalation of the strike action is likely to take place in early September if a resolution is not found urgently.

“The minister and his colleagues in Stormont need to secure the funding necessary to implement this agreed review and to start to rectify the growing crisis in our education system.”

A department of education spokesperson said education minister Paul Givan recognises “the vital contribution made by our support staff” and “agrees they deserve to be paid appropriately for the important jobs they do”.

Paul Givan said he believes his party can hold the Lagan Valley seat
Education minister Paul Givan. PICTURE: LIAM MCBURNEY/PA

The spokesperson said Mr Givan bid for the £180 million required to implement the pay and grading review, but was unsuccessful due to the other competing pressures.

“They (Stormont Executive) agreed that the minister of finance (Caoimhe Archibald) should seek approval from HM Treasury to bring forward funding from future years to enable implementation”.