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School helpers will go on strike | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Northern Ireland's 7,000 classroom assistants are set to stage a one-day strike on Wednesday. | |
But last-minute talks between unions and employers ended with both sides upbeat about a possible settlement. | |
Education Minister Caitriona Ruane met both parties earlier in an attempt to resolve the 12-year-long dispute, which centres on salaries and pay grades. | |
Most special schools are expected not to open, while a number of mainstream schools plan to close at lunchtime. | Most special schools are expected not to open, while a number of mainstream schools plan to close at lunchtime. |
Others say that parents of pupils with special needs may keep their children at home. | Others say that parents of pupils with special needs may keep their children at home. |
Another three-day strike is planned for October. | Another three-day strike is planned for October. |
Caitriona Ruane has been meeting unions and employers | |
The Department of Education has denied that any classroom assistant will lose out in the job evaluation scheme which is being negotiated. | The Department of Education has denied that any classroom assistant will lose out in the job evaluation scheme which is being negotiated. |
All staff have been told they will not lose any pay or pension as long as they remain in their current jobs. | All staff have been told they will not lose any pay or pension as long as they remain in their current jobs. |
Unison, which represents 2,500 classroom assistants, said although this statement was correct, the real issue was how the deal would affect those who apply for the jobs in the future. | Unison, which represents 2,500 classroom assistants, said although this statement was correct, the real issue was how the deal would affect those who apply for the jobs in the future. |
It said some current staff would get pay rises back-dated 12 years but others would not get increases. | It said some current staff would get pay rises back-dated 12 years but others would not get increases. |