'We want change so that our staff get paid fairly and equally'

St. Patrick's and St.Brigid's College in Claudy is just one of the many schools across County Derry which was unable to open its doors to pupils today due to strike action.

Classroom assistants, catering staff, cleaners, caretakers and other non- teaching staff were out on picket-lines right across the North.

In 2019, non-teaching schools staff were supposed to see changes in their status.

However, the Covid-19 pandemic put a stop to the government talks.

“Basically we want changes which would mean pay improvement for all staff. Because of the Covid pandemic that sort of stopped and since that there's been a halt,” said Helena McLaughlin, representative for UNISON Derry Education.

“The education authorities have been sitting on the fence throughout. Our members are actually discouraged because we're the only people in the public sector who didn't get praise or any benefit from the pandemic, all public sector workers did.

“We want change and for them to recognise the roles and responsibilities so that our staff get paid fairly and equally.”

Michaela Irwin and Siobhan McLaughlin have been working as teaching assistants for 10 and 23 years respectively. They were standing in front of their school this morning to show their support.

“I work here as a classroom assistant and everybody who comes in is at the same pay level. It does not matter how many years you worked, you are still on the same pay level,” said Siobhan.

She said that the main reasons for them to be there today, holding flags, was the inequality in the pay and the absence of pay grading.

“The money is just not good, the government is talking about raising the minimum wage to £12 but a lot of our girls are under that,” said Siobhan.

She also said that teaching assistants require qualifications and before being able to apply to a job some have to do 400 hours of placement over a period of two years.”

“We've realised we are not getting paid a lot, we are nowhere near what teaching assistants in England are making,” said Michaela.

In addition, teaching assistants do not get paid during summer months. To have available days to take for holidays they need to work up to 200 minutes more per week. It is equivalent to 40 more minutes working per day.

“We work up hours during the school year so we can have time off in the summer as long as we accumulate so many hours,” said Siobhan.

“But we are still keeping our contracts,” said Michaela.

“If the school finishes in June, we do not get paid in July and August but we can come back in September for our permanent contract.

“It makes it difficult for other people who have no other income coming in. We have to work hard to get these two months paid.”

As St. Patrick's and St.Brigid's College was closed today, Siobhan and Michaela said that this was 'proof that their roles are essential' for its operation.