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22/01/2024
Other News In Brief
Non-Teaching Staff 'Cannot Be Overlooked' In Pay Review – Alliance
The Alliance Party has said that non-teaching staff in our schools 'cannot be overlooked' in the delivery of a long overdue pay and grading review.
The party's Education Spokesperson Nick Mathison was speaking following industrial action across public services in Northern Ireland, with non-teaching staff in a number of schools engaged in ongoing strike action in the coming weeks.
He said: "Whilst last week saw industrial action take place across a number of our most vital public sectors, many non-teaching staff in our schools are still involved in industrial action regarding their Pay and Grading Review. These are essential members of the school community– they deserve fair pay and conditions which recognise their commitment and dedication to our children and young people.
"There is an urgent need for this review to be agreed and it is unacceptable that this has been delayed over a number of years since the creation of the EA. It is especially disappointing that the business case for this pay and grading review sat with the Department of Education for much of 2023 whilst ongoing industrial action continued to impact on our children and young people.
"Alliance has written to the Department of Finance which is currently assessing the pay and grading Business Case, seeking an urgent update on how soon it can be progressed. We also raised this issue with the UK Government during the talks process at the end of last year, stressing the importance of ensuring that non-teaching staff are not excluded from any sort of financial package.
"We must do all we can to avoid further industrial action from unions representing non-teaching staff in 2024, as we all understand the disproportionate impact this has on our special schools.
"Getting a democratically accountable Education Minister in post is now a pressing need, backed up by what must be a comprehensive offer from the Secretary of State to address public sector pay pressures."
Renewable Energy Shift Showing Clear Benefits – SF
The shift to renewable energy such as wind turbines is showing clear benefits for the environment, Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan has said.
The Sinn Féin environment spokesperson was reacting to a report from Wind Energy Ireland which showed that wind turbines are producing record amounts of renewable energy and reducing emissions.
Philip McGuigan said: "Across the island 35% of our electricity is now coming from wind farms, in the north alone it’s closer to 40%.
"It is also preventing more than 5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide being released into our atmosphere.
"Renewable energy is undoubtedly the future of energy production here.
"While this is welcome news, we have no time to waste. We need to see the immediate restoration of the Assembly to build on the progress being made and to meet our targets to reduce emissions under the Climate Change Act."
'Time To Prioritise People' – UUP
The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) has called for the prioritisation of people, following mass strike action across Northern Ireland last week, on Thursday, 18 January.
Speaking following the 'day of action', party leader Doug Beattie said: "The Ulster Unionist Party has brought attention to the myriad challenges confronting our Public Sector Workers as they advocate for a fair pay award. This encompasses critical infrastructure providers, healthcare professionals, both clinical and non-clinical, as well as our educators and teaching staff.
"The impact extends beyond these sectors, affecting society at large with missed hospital appointments, educational disruptions, and diminished economic productivity. The low morale in our workforce is resulting in employment gaps that can no longer be ignored, leading to poorer outcomes for the sick, the young, and our society as a whole.
"While much blame has been directed at the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton Harris MP, as the individual responsible for the governance of Northern Ireland, the unions have carefully avoided targeting political parties. This cautious approach is understandable, given that any of these parties could hold the next health, education, or infrastructure ministries. However, the reality is that politicians in Northern Ireland possess the power and ability to address this issue now.
"For those who support devolved government, the time has come to take control of our future by making decisions that support people in their daily lives. This involves tackling public sector pay issues, addressing workforce challenges in health and education services, and fostering economic growth through improved infrastructure.
"Delivering high-quality services should be the minimum standard, not the sum of our ambitions. To achieve this, we need a sustainable workforce, which requires addressing pay concerns, improving working conditions, and boosting morale. Valuing our staff is crucial to ensuring we have the right people in the right roles at the right time.
"As a Unionist party leader, I am convinced that people are the Union, not some obscure trade deal or a 19th-century act. It is time to prioritise 'Our People', putting them first in 'Your Home' to provide better opportunities for generations to come because 'Their Future' is at stake."
The Alliance Party has said that non-teaching staff in our schools 'cannot be overlooked' in the delivery of a long overdue pay and grading review.
The party's Education Spokesperson Nick Mathison was speaking following industrial action across public services in Northern Ireland, with non-teaching staff in a number of schools engaged in ongoing strike action in the coming weeks.
He said: "Whilst last week saw industrial action take place across a number of our most vital public sectors, many non-teaching staff in our schools are still involved in industrial action regarding their Pay and Grading Review. These are essential members of the school community– they deserve fair pay and conditions which recognise their commitment and dedication to our children and young people.
"There is an urgent need for this review to be agreed and it is unacceptable that this has been delayed over a number of years since the creation of the EA. It is especially disappointing that the business case for this pay and grading review sat with the Department of Education for much of 2023 whilst ongoing industrial action continued to impact on our children and young people.
"Alliance has written to the Department of Finance which is currently assessing the pay and grading Business Case, seeking an urgent update on how soon it can be progressed. We also raised this issue with the UK Government during the talks process at the end of last year, stressing the importance of ensuring that non-teaching staff are not excluded from any sort of financial package.
"We must do all we can to avoid further industrial action from unions representing non-teaching staff in 2024, as we all understand the disproportionate impact this has on our special schools.
"Getting a democratically accountable Education Minister in post is now a pressing need, backed up by what must be a comprehensive offer from the Secretary of State to address public sector pay pressures."
Renewable Energy Shift Showing Clear Benefits – SF
The shift to renewable energy such as wind turbines is showing clear benefits for the environment, Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan has said.
The Sinn Féin environment spokesperson was reacting to a report from Wind Energy Ireland which showed that wind turbines are producing record amounts of renewable energy and reducing emissions.
Philip McGuigan said: "Across the island 35% of our electricity is now coming from wind farms, in the north alone it’s closer to 40%.
"It is also preventing more than 5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide being released into our atmosphere.
"Renewable energy is undoubtedly the future of energy production here.
"While this is welcome news, we have no time to waste. We need to see the immediate restoration of the Assembly to build on the progress being made and to meet our targets to reduce emissions under the Climate Change Act."
'Time To Prioritise People' – UUP
The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) has called for the prioritisation of people, following mass strike action across Northern Ireland last week, on Thursday, 18 January.
Speaking following the 'day of action', party leader Doug Beattie said: "The Ulster Unionist Party has brought attention to the myriad challenges confronting our Public Sector Workers as they advocate for a fair pay award. This encompasses critical infrastructure providers, healthcare professionals, both clinical and non-clinical, as well as our educators and teaching staff.
"The impact extends beyond these sectors, affecting society at large with missed hospital appointments, educational disruptions, and diminished economic productivity. The low morale in our workforce is resulting in employment gaps that can no longer be ignored, leading to poorer outcomes for the sick, the young, and our society as a whole.
"While much blame has been directed at the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton Harris MP, as the individual responsible for the governance of Northern Ireland, the unions have carefully avoided targeting political parties. This cautious approach is understandable, given that any of these parties could hold the next health, education, or infrastructure ministries. However, the reality is that politicians in Northern Ireland possess the power and ability to address this issue now.
"For those who support devolved government, the time has come to take control of our future by making decisions that support people in their daily lives. This involves tackling public sector pay issues, addressing workforce challenges in health and education services, and fostering economic growth through improved infrastructure.
"Delivering high-quality services should be the minimum standard, not the sum of our ambitions. To achieve this, we need a sustainable workforce, which requires addressing pay concerns, improving working conditions, and boosting morale. Valuing our staff is crucial to ensuring we have the right people in the right roles at the right time.
"As a Unionist party leader, I am convinced that people are the Union, not some obscure trade deal or a 19th-century act. It is time to prioritise 'Our People', putting them first in 'Your Home' to provide better opportunities for generations to come because 'Their Future' is at stake."
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25 November 2024
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
10 September 2002
MLA's call for new firefighters pay scheme
Two UUP MLA's have called on the Northern Ireland Executive to implement a new pay scheme for Ulster's firefighters. North Antrim UUP MLA the Rev Robert Coulter called for the introduction of a new pay formula in a motion to the Assembly on Monday. Mr Coulter said he hoped it would help achieve a real remedy to the question of firefighter’s pay.
MLA's call for new firefighters pay scheme
Two UUP MLA's have called on the Northern Ireland Executive to implement a new pay scheme for Ulster's firefighters. North Antrim UUP MLA the Rev Robert Coulter called for the introduction of a new pay formula in a motion to the Assembly on Monday. Mr Coulter said he hoped it would help achieve a real remedy to the question of firefighter’s pay.
24 May 2021
Hovis Workers Agree Increased Pay Offer
A majority of Hovis workers have accepted an increased pay offer and strike action has now ended. Unite the union welcomed the offer and said it was as "decisive victory for workforce achieved through collective organisation and industrial militancy".
Hovis Workers Agree Increased Pay Offer
A majority of Hovis workers have accepted an increased pay offer and strike action has now ended. Unite the union welcomed the offer and said it was as "decisive victory for workforce achieved through collective organisation and industrial militancy".
10 November 2022
Nurses Across The UK To Strike In Pay Dispute
A record number of nursing staff across the UK have voted for strike action, with the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) stating that a majority of its members are prepared to join the picket line this winter.
Nurses Across The UK To Strike In Pay Dispute
A record number of nursing staff across the UK have voted for strike action, with the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) stating that a majority of its members are prepared to join the picket line this winter.
18 October 2002
NI firefighters balloted over strike action
UPDATE: Firefighters across the UK have voted in favour of holding strike action in the next stage of their dispute over pay. The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) members voted to begin their industrial action on October 29 - the first firefighter's strike in Britain for 25 years.
NI firefighters balloted over strike action
UPDATE: Firefighters across the UK have voted in favour of holding strike action in the next stage of their dispute over pay. The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) members voted to begin their industrial action on October 29 - the first firefighter's strike in Britain for 25 years.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
