More than 3,000 NI education workers announce strike dates

More than 3,000 GMB members working in Northern Ireland’s education will strike in a dispute over pay and grading

Classroom assistants, drivers, bus escorts, catering staff, cleaning staff, administrative, building supervisors and technicians are set to take four days of industrial action on 20 and 21 May and 3 and 4 June 2024.

This mainly low paid women workforce are either are on temporary contracts, only work term time or are on part-time contracts.

GMB, along with Nipsa, Unison and Unite, is fighting for a fully funded implementation of the education pay and grading Review for these workers.

Primary responsibility for funding lies with the Northern Ireland Assembly and ultimately with Treasury.

Alan Perry, GMB Senior Organiser, said:

"GMB members employed across the education authority in non teaching roles are angry and frustrated.

”They have simply had enough; they’ve yet to be acknowledged for their job roles despite the Education Authority agreeing the business case for the pay and grading review dating back to 2018.

“Our members will not be used as political pawns by the NI Executive it's time to pay them what they are worth.

“Failure to do so will result in further industrial action.