Education support workers prepare for further industrial action

Education support staff in Northern Ireland are preparing to take further industrial action, trade unions have said.

The unions met Stormont Education Minister Paul Givan on Thursday to discuss a pay and grading review for non-teaching staff.

Following the meeting they said the minister indicated his support for the pay and grading review, and said while he has sought funding to implement it, he was concerned that sufficient funding would not be available in the budget which is to be unveiled next week.

The unions have urged all the parties on the Executive to back the full implementation of the pay and grading review agreed between the employers and the trade unions.

In a joint statement, the unions expressed disappointment that the issue of the pay and grading review has still not been resolved.

“It is intolerable that the voice of education workers has not been heard,” they said.

“With that in mind we are taking steps to review and strengthen our current action short of strike action and, in addition, discussions will take place about escalating strike action.”