03/10/2019

58% Of NI Principals Prepared To Strike

More than half of school principals in Northern Ireland are prepared to take strike action, it has emerged.

Some 57.8% told the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) they would strike over the ongoing dispute on workload, the inspection process, consultation and support for schools.

The NAHT said their workers had "spoken loudly and with strength" in favour of taking strike action, with almost all respondents (98.4%) prepared to take measures just short of strike.

Following the September ballot, the union will meet early this month to determine the future course of action. The NAHT represents about two-thirds of schools in Northern Ireland.

A spokesperson said: "In the meantime, the door remains open to the employing authorities who we hope would want to avoid any possibility of unprecedented action by this Union and indeed the possibility that NAHT(NI) would become the final teaching Union to take industrial action in Northern Ireland."

Union President Geri Cameron said Head Teachers across the country are no longer prepared to "prop up" the education system at the expense of their own health and well-being.

"All we are asking for is the caring actions of caring employers," he said.

"As you would expect, our members wish to avoid any negative impact upon students' education or safety. Therefore, any action will be intended to cause as minimal disruption as possible whilst placing pressure on the Department and employing authorities to resolve this crisis as a matter of urgency."



(JG/CM)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

06 January 2023
Further Strike Dates Announced For Rathlin Island Ferry Workers
Unite the union has called on the Department for Infrastructure to intervene and ensure workers on the ferry service between Ballycastle and Rathlin Island receive a cost of living pay increase and avoid further disruption to residents and economy of Northern Ireland's largest island.
16 December 2014
Trade Unions To Consider Strike Action Over Public Services Cuts
Trade unions in Northern Ireland are to hold a series of public meetings to consider industrial action over cuts to public services.
31 January 2023
Firefighters Vote In Favour Of Strike Action
Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) Interim Chief Fire & Rescue Officer, Andy Hearn, has said that he supports a pay increase for Firefighters an their right to participate in peaceful strike action.
06 February 2014
Queen's Uni Staff Stage One-Day Strike
Staff at Queen's University in Belfast are staging a one-day strike. The action comes in a dispute over pay and has been organised by trade unions, the University and College Union (UCU) and Unite.
04 April 2023
NI Teachers Announce Strike Action For 26 April
Teachers from five teaching unions across NI have announced that they will take strike action on Wednesday 26 April, over the failure to offer teachers and Further Education lecturers a fair and decent pay award.