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30/11/2016
Teachers Across Belfast And Newtownabbey Begin Strike Action
Teachers will begin their first day of strike action across Belfast and Newtownabbey today, 30 November.
Thousands of teachers, who are members of the NASUWT union, are striking over pay, excessive workloads and job insecurity.
Unions rejected a 1% pay increase, with pay rates remaining frozen for 2015-16.
The action is the first stage of a rolling programme across Northern Ireland which will continue into 2017.
Chris Keates, NASUWT General Secretary, said: "It is with deep regret that we have been forced to move to this position, but we have been left with no choice by the blatant disregard of the Minister for Education for the pay and conditions of service of teachers who provide such a vital public service.
"Despite written reasonable requests to the Minister he has refused to accept that the situation teachers find themselves in has become untenable.
"As NASUWT members take the first day of strike action, the responsibility for the dispute rests entirely with the Minister."
On Tuesday, 29 November, Education Minister Peter Weir urged teachers to call off the planned strike.
He said the education sector is under "severe pressure".
Minister Weir said: "School leaders are struggling to cope with the sustained industrial action in schools since 2011. The escalation of this action, resulting in strike days, will severely harm the education of the children that we all seek to serve. Whilst I recognise most schools will remain open, some will be open to staff only. It will cause major disruption to parents and put further pressure on other teachers and leaders that are already struggling to cope in addition to damaging the reputation of teachers.
"The negotiations are over. The rejected two year pay deal is an increase of 2.61% to teacher’' pay. This includes a general 1% increase for 2016/17 plus automatic time served incremental salary progressions.
"A day of strike will only result in the loss of a day's pay, effectively much of the 1% the unions are saying they are fighting for."
(CD)
Thousands of teachers, who are members of the NASUWT union, are striking over pay, excessive workloads and job insecurity.
Unions rejected a 1% pay increase, with pay rates remaining frozen for 2015-16.
The action is the first stage of a rolling programme across Northern Ireland which will continue into 2017.
Chris Keates, NASUWT General Secretary, said: "It is with deep regret that we have been forced to move to this position, but we have been left with no choice by the blatant disregard of the Minister for Education for the pay and conditions of service of teachers who provide such a vital public service.
"Despite written reasonable requests to the Minister he has refused to accept that the situation teachers find themselves in has become untenable.
"As NASUWT members take the first day of strike action, the responsibility for the dispute rests entirely with the Minister."
On Tuesday, 29 November, Education Minister Peter Weir urged teachers to call off the planned strike.
He said the education sector is under "severe pressure".
Minister Weir said: "School leaders are struggling to cope with the sustained industrial action in schools since 2011. The escalation of this action, resulting in strike days, will severely harm the education of the children that we all seek to serve. Whilst I recognise most schools will remain open, some will be open to staff only. It will cause major disruption to parents and put further pressure on other teachers and leaders that are already struggling to cope in addition to damaging the reputation of teachers.
"The negotiations are over. The rejected two year pay deal is an increase of 2.61% to teacher’' pay. This includes a general 1% increase for 2016/17 plus automatic time served incremental salary progressions.
"A day of strike will only result in the loss of a day's pay, effectively much of the 1% the unions are saying they are fighting for."
(CD)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy. Also mainly dry at first this evening but then occasional outbreaks of rain developing overnight. Light southwest winds, and staying mild. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
