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)