26/09/2007

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.

General Secretary of the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA), John Corey, yesterday said: "Talks alone will not solve this dispute. NIPSA will not be doing any deals behind closed doors."

He added: "The Minister, the Department and the Education and Library Boards need to appreciate the seriousness of this dispute.

"NIPSA will only be calling off these strikes when there is a confirmed new offer on the table, which is acceptable to our Classroom Assistant members."

The Union confirmed last week that over 93% of assistants voted in favour of a strike. They 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.

Further strike action is planned for 2, 3 and 4 October and an all-out strike on 8 October, if resolutions are not made.

(LC)

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