Derry school support staff on picket lines for fair pay grades

School staff were on the picket lines outside schools across Derry this morning highlighting the Education Authority's "failure to address the disparity in pay grades".

According to the GMB union, the disparity "results in a large number of employees being paid less than what they are worth."

Speaking to Derry News outside St Brigid's College / Coláiste Bhríde, Leona Butler - Unison Health and Safety Office and Shop Steward designate - said she and her colleagues were striking because they feel "enough is enough".

Unison members, Aisling Meehan and Leona Butler on the picket line outside St Brigid's College / Coláiste Bhríde this morning. 

Leona added: "We are looking for fairer pay grades. This issue has been dragging on without resolution for too long. For the work that we do, we are definitely not getting paid enough. It is about time that our employer, the Education Authority, sorted out what is an extremely unfair situation.

"We offer a service for the children in our school to make sure they are getting an education and that they are looked after, in a safe environment." 

Aisling Meehan, Unison Shop Steward at St Brigid's College, Derry, explaining to @DerryNow why she and her school support staff colleagues are on the picket line today.

"We need to get the pay grades / scales sorted out. They are not fair," she said. pic.twitter.com/dBkTPL42hH

— Derry Now (@DerryNow) November 16, 2023

Bailey the dog supporting the striking school workers outside St Brigid's College / Coláiste Bhríde this morning.

According to, Aisling Meehan - Unison Shop Steward - the school support staff have received their pay rise but their pay scales need to be made more equitable, as a matter of urgency.

Aisling added: "We are getting brilliant support from parents and the public, as you hear from the noise from the horns of the passing cars. We also have staff members from three or four other schools joining us here at St Brigid's this morning.

"This is a great school to work for, it is the Education Authority we have the problem with. We are not being treated the way we should be getting treated in terms of pay grades."

Leona reiterated that the children were always the main priority as far as school support staff were concerned.

"We go above and beyond for the children at St Brigid's because their needs are what is paramount for us. We want to make sure they are getting the education they deserve. Their well-being is our main concern.

"We want them to be in a safe environment and to know they can trust us and work with us," said Leona.

The strike in Derry was part of two days of industrial action taken by at least 2,500 school staff across 1,800 schools in the North.

What the GMB union described as "the biggest strike the Education Authority has seen for years" involved: classroom assistants, drivers, catering staff, caretakers, cleaners, technicians and bus escorts.

Alan Perry, GMB Senior Organiser, said: "Workers are angry over the Education Authority's failure to address the disparity in pay grades resulting in large number of employees being paid a lot less than what they are worth.

Staff from St Brigid's College in Derry on the picket line this morning drumming up support for fairer pay grades for classroom assistants, drivers, catering staff, caretakers, cleaners & bus escorts.

The action is "the biggest strike the Education Authority has seen for years." pic.twitter.com/mzX7uAcrjf

— Derry Now (@DerryNow) November 16, 2023

“Enough is enough - GMB members are among the lowest paid across the education sector. 

“Given the current cost of living crisis, they just can't cope anymore. 

Derry non-teaching staff go on strike

“This is just the start. There will be strikes across the authority until our members’ concerns and right to fair pay are addressed.”