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Unison: NI Education Authority staff vote for strike

Sep 27, 2023 Education

Thousands of education staff across Northern Ireland have voted to strike in a dispute over pay, a union has said.

About 7,000 employees of the Education Authority (EA) are due to take part.

Unison said 90% of its members working for the EA voted for strike action after the authority paused pay negotiations with unions.

Staff taking to the picket line will include classroom assistants, school cooks and cleaners.

Bus drivers and clerical staff are also due to take part in industrial action.

A Unison spokesperson said the budget for education services had been "squeezed to an intolerable level".

"Pupils, their families and workers are bearing the brunt of cuts," the spokesperson added.

The union said members would be "taking to the picket line in the coming weeks", having voted to strike and for action short of strike.

'Active engagement'

The EA said it would work closely with schools in implementing measures to minimise disruption for pupils.

A spokesperson said the authority is committed to continuing "meaningful and active engagement" with unions and the Department of Education over pay.

"However, progress has been impacted by the financial pressures in the education sector and the Northern Ireland block grant as a whole," the spokesperson added.

The Department of Education has been approached by BBC News NI for comment.

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