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31/01/2017
NI's Largest Teachers Union Takes Strike Action
Northern Ireland's largest teachers' union, the NASUWT, are to stage industrial action today, 31 January, at schools in L'Derry, Strabane, Mid Ulster, Fermanagh and Omagh.
It is the second stage of a rolling programme of strike action across NI which began on 30 November, 2016, with a day of strike action from teachers in Belfast and Newtownabbey.
Thousands of teachers are expected to take part in the action in an ongoing dispute over what they describe as a "derisory pay offer from the Minister of Education of 0% for the 2015/2016 academic year".
The union said that teachers are also angered about the Minister and the Employer's failure to "tackle seriously the year-on-year pay cuts, excessive workload and widespread job insecurity teachers are facing".
Speaking ahead of the strike action, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said: "It is with deep regret that we have been forced to continue with our rolling programme of strike action, but this is entirely the responsibility of the Minister for Education who has refused to accept that his attacks on teachers' pay are damaging the sustainability and morale of the teaching profession.
"The Minister has been given the money to pay the minimum 1% award to teachers for 2015/16, instead teachers are being asked to bear the brunt of the failure by the Executive to properly ring-fence education from budget cuts.
"Teachers deserve pay and working conditions which enable them to provide the world-class education service that our children and young people are entitled to."
Justin McCamphill, NASUWT National Official Northern Ireland, added: "No teacher takes strike action lightly and we regret the disruption the action will have on pupils and parents.
"Despite our attempts to resolve this dispute through negotiation, the attitude of the Minister has left us with no other option than to continue our programme of strike action.
"Teachers are angry, frustrated and determined to send a loud and clear message that says value us and the children we teach."
As part of the day of action, teachers will gather at a rally at St Columb's Hall, in L'Derry at 11am. Elected representatives from the NASUWT will also be attending.
(MH/CD)
It is the second stage of a rolling programme of strike action across NI which began on 30 November, 2016, with a day of strike action from teachers in Belfast and Newtownabbey.
Thousands of teachers are expected to take part in the action in an ongoing dispute over what they describe as a "derisory pay offer from the Minister of Education of 0% for the 2015/2016 academic year".
The union said that teachers are also angered about the Minister and the Employer's failure to "tackle seriously the year-on-year pay cuts, excessive workload and widespread job insecurity teachers are facing".
Speaking ahead of the strike action, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said: "It is with deep regret that we have been forced to continue with our rolling programme of strike action, but this is entirely the responsibility of the Minister for Education who has refused to accept that his attacks on teachers' pay are damaging the sustainability and morale of the teaching profession.
"The Minister has been given the money to pay the minimum 1% award to teachers for 2015/16, instead teachers are being asked to bear the brunt of the failure by the Executive to properly ring-fence education from budget cuts.
"Teachers deserve pay and working conditions which enable them to provide the world-class education service that our children and young people are entitled to."
Justin McCamphill, NASUWT National Official Northern Ireland, added: "No teacher takes strike action lightly and we regret the disruption the action will have on pupils and parents.
"Despite our attempts to resolve this dispute through negotiation, the attitude of the Minister has left us with no other option than to continue our programme of strike action.
"Teachers are angry, frustrated and determined to send a loud and clear message that says value us and the children we teach."
As part of the day of action, teachers will gather at a rally at St Columb's Hall, in L'Derry at 11am. Elected representatives from the NASUWT will also be attending.
(MH/CD)
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