Teaching Strikes: Majority of Northern Ireland Schools to Close for Half a Day
Most Northern Ireland schools will close until noon on Wednesday due to a teachers' strike involving five unions, who are striking over unresolved pay disputes.
The teachers in Northern Ireland have been without a pay raise for almost three years and earn less than their counterparts in the rest of the UK and Ireland.
On the same day, the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) will join the strike, marking only their second time in 126 years. NAHT's Interim National Secretary in Northern Ireland highlighted the gap in pay and the lack of support for the teaching profession as key concerns.
School support staff will cause additional disruptions with a 24-hour strike on Friday, coinciding with a Translink staff strike that is expected to halt bus and train services. NASUWT members in further education are also joining the strike, which is part of an 18-month pay dispute.
Unions refused a previous pay offer from employers for 2021-2023, calling it inadequate. Non-teaching staff had already protested earlier in November over pay reform failure and education budget cuts.
NAHT representatives plan to deliver a letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Downing Street, demanding government intervention for fair teacher pay in Northern Ireland. Teachers insist on equitable pay with other UK teachers, and officials from both the Department of Education and the Education Authority understand the challenges but cite budget constraints.
David Thompson of Unite, representing Translink workers, is calling for discussions to resolve the dispute and acknowledges the concerns of both sides. The ongoing strikes and actions emphasize the call for fair compensation and support for teachers in Northern Ireland.
On the same day, the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) will join the strike, marking only their second time in 126 years. NAHT's Interim National Secretary in Northern Ireland highlighted the gap in pay and the lack of support for the teaching profession as key concerns.
School support staff will cause additional disruptions with a 24-hour strike on Friday, coinciding with a Translink staff strike that is expected to halt bus and train services. NASUWT members in further education are also joining the strike, which is part of an 18-month pay dispute.
Unions refused a previous pay offer from employers for 2021-2023, calling it inadequate. Non-teaching staff had already protested earlier in November over pay reform failure and education budget cuts.
NAHT representatives plan to deliver a letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Downing Street, demanding government intervention for fair teacher pay in Northern Ireland. Teachers insist on equitable pay with other UK teachers, and officials from both the Department of Education and the Education Authority understand the challenges but cite budget constraints.
David Thompson of Unite, representing Translink workers, is calling for discussions to resolve the dispute and acknowledges the concerns of both sides. The ongoing strikes and actions emphasize the call for fair compensation and support for teachers in Northern Ireland.
