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25/09/2007
Ruane Acts In Classroom Assistants' Dispute
Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, told the Assembly yesterday that she will intervene in the classroom assistants’ dispute.
A one-day strike is planned to take place on Wednesday, followed by more in coming weeks if agreement over pay is not reached.
The Minister spoke of the invaluable role classroom assistants provide to young people across Northern Ireland, including those with special needs.
Ms Ruane said: "I have decided that to make progress, I am going to intervene. I am now calling on the employing authorities to proceed as swiftly as possible to implement the new gradings so that these valuable staff receive the pay rates to which they are entitled as a result of the systematic job evaluation process which has been carried out.
These staff have already had to wait an unacceptable amount of time. We need to get the money to them that they deserve."
The Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA) confirmed last week that over 1,000 assistants voted in favour of a strike.
NIPSA said there was no other alternative, since changes were brought in which will affect new workers.
Managers want to calculate the pro-rata hourly rate on a full-time 36-hour week. It had previously been worked out on a 32.5 hour week.
NIPSA also said that if agreement was not reached soon, the crisis would lead to an all out strike.
(LC/SP)
A one-day strike is planned to take place on Wednesday, followed by more in coming weeks if agreement over pay is not reached.
The Minister spoke of the invaluable role classroom assistants provide to young people across Northern Ireland, including those with special needs.
Ms Ruane said: "I have decided that to make progress, I am going to intervene. I am now calling on the employing authorities to proceed as swiftly as possible to implement the new gradings so that these valuable staff receive the pay rates to which they are entitled as a result of the systematic job evaluation process which has been carried out.
These staff have already had to wait an unacceptable amount of time. We need to get the money to them that they deserve."
The Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA) confirmed last week that over 1,000 assistants voted in favour of a strike.
NIPSA said there was no other alternative, since changes were brought in which will affect new workers.
Managers want to calculate the pro-rata hourly rate on a full-time 36-hour week. It had previously been worked out on a 32.5 hour week.
NIPSA also said that if agreement was not reached soon, the crisis would lead to an all out strike.
(LC/SP)
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30 October 2007
School Strike Looming - Again
A trade union is to begin consulting its members on resuming strike action by classroom assistants. The Nipsa union has rejected a pay offer following weeks of discussion with employers. Education Minister Caitriona Ruane said she was extremely disappointed no agreement had been reached.
School Strike Looming - Again
A trade union is to begin consulting its members on resuming strike action by classroom assistants. The Nipsa union has rejected a pay offer following weeks of discussion with employers. Education Minister Caitriona Ruane said she was extremely disappointed no agreement had been reached.
20 September 2007
Classroom Assistants To Strike
Classroom assistants across Northern Ireland are planning a one-day strike if negotiations are not reached over pay. The strike is planned to take place next Wednesday, 26 September, followed by more in the following weeks, if the situation is not resolved.
Classroom Assistants To Strike
Classroom assistants across Northern Ireland are planning a one-day strike if negotiations are not reached over pay. The strike is planned to take place next Wednesday, 26 September, followed by more in the following weeks, if the situation is not resolved.
08 October 2007
Classroom Assistants Begin Strike
Around 3,000 classroom assistants who are members of the public service union NIPSA began an all-out strike today. They have said they will not return to work until a new offer is made by employers, and the strike is likely to cause disruption in hundreds of schools.
Classroom Assistants Begin Strike
Around 3,000 classroom assistants who are members of the public service union NIPSA began an all-out strike today. They have said they will not return to work until a new offer is made by employers, and the strike is likely to cause disruption in hundreds of schools.
28 September 2007
Fresh Talks To Resolve Classroom Assistants Dispute
Employers and trade unions will enter into new talks today in an attempt to break the deadlock over classroom assistants' pay. Thousands of assistants marched through Belfast on Wednesday as part of a day of strike action over pay.
Fresh Talks To Resolve Classroom Assistants Dispute
Employers and trade unions will enter into new talks today in an attempt to break the deadlock over classroom assistants' pay. Thousands of assistants marched through Belfast on Wednesday as part of a day of strike action over pay.
26 September 2007
Classroom Assistants Strike Goes Ahead
The Classroom Assistants' strike in Belfast City Centre has gone ahead as planned despite Education Minister Caitríona Ruane's intervention yesterday. Talks last night between employers and unions failed to reach an agreement.
Classroom Assistants Strike Goes Ahead
The Classroom Assistants' strike in Belfast City Centre has gone ahead as planned despite Education Minister Caitríona Ruane's intervention yesterday. Talks last night between employers and unions failed to reach an agreement.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
