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NI classroom assistants to strike | NI classroom assistants to strike |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Classroom assistants across Northern Ireland are planning a one-day strike unless agreement is reached over pay. | Classroom assistants across Northern Ireland are planning a one-day strike unless agreement is reached over pay. |
The strike is planned for next Wednesday, with more action to follow. | The strike is planned for next Wednesday, with more action to follow. |
The Department of Education said it regretted the move which could "disrupt the education of some children". | |
Janette Murdock, classroom assistant at Tor Bank Special School in Dundonald, said the decision to strike had not been taken lightly. | Janette Murdock, classroom assistant at Tor Bank Special School in Dundonald, said the decision to strike had not been taken lightly. |
"If this isn't sorted out the children's education will suffer more. Experienced and qualified staff will be forced to leave the job," she said. | "If this isn't sorted out the children's education will suffer more. Experienced and qualified staff will be forced to leave the job," she said. |
"The boards will have downgraded the jobs so much that they will have created an inexperienced, high-turnover workforce - that will affect children more in the long-term." | |
What will happen if this treatment continues is that many will leave their positions, as they cannot to afford to stay Dawn PurvisPUP leader | |
PUP leader Dawn Purvis said she supported the classroom assistants' stance. | |
"What will happen if this treatment continues is that many will leave their positions, as they cannot to afford to stay." | "What will happen if this treatment continues is that many will leave their positions, as they cannot to afford to stay." |
Dominic Bradley of the assembly's education committee said he brought the issue before the assembly asking for an equitable settlement, and it had been endorsed. | |
He said the committee was fully behind the classroom assistants. | |
In a statement, the Department of Education added: "Given that discussions between the unions and the employers are on-going it would not be appropriate to comment further." |
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