Northern Ireland strikes: Five special schools close to pupils

Striking Unite members at the Education Authority transport depot in Enniskillen

At least five special schools are closed to pupils for a week due to strike action by the Unite union.

Glenveagh School in Belfast and Rossmar School in Limavady have told parents pupils cannot attend from Thursday 15 June until 23 June.

But according to the Education Authority (EA), Park, Mitchell House and Oakwood schools in Belfast are taking similar measures.

The EA has warned that some buses and meals services will also be affected.

About 700 members of Unite who work for the Education Authority are taking strike action.

Its members include school bus drivers, maintenance workers, catering staff, classroom assistants, playground supervisors, cleaners and others.

They are striking over what the union said was the failure to implement a review that would have led to "significant increases" in pay.

'Money not there now'

Speaking at the picket line at the Education Authority transport depot in Enniskillen, Unite campaigns and communications officer Dónal Ó Cofaigh said the outcome of a pay review had not been implemented.

"These workers have been seeking a pay increase since 2019," he said.

"Last year, they were out looking for a straight pay increase and in return for that they ended their strike, but they got a commitment to a pay and grading review."

Mr O'Cofaigh added: "Even though there was a consensus reached on that pay and grading review, the money is not there now, apparently because of the secretary of state, to actually afford it."

The Unite picket line at Rossmar Special School in Limavady on Thursday

He said the budget set out by Chris Heaton-Harris is "punitive" and that it is hitting schools and their staff.

Funding gap of £200m

Matthew McDermott, from the Education Authority, told Good Morning Ulster that five or six schools had to move to remote learning.

He added that about 105 of the authority's transport routes are affected and about 7,000 children would not have been able to get a school meal during the strike.

"There's no doubt the impact on learning outcomes for our children and young people will be significant, particularly our most vulnerable in our special schools, and the added pressure that this brings to parents trying to manage and plan is very difficult," he said.

Mr McDermott said the Education Authority has "no means" to settle the pay dispute due to a funding gap "in excess of £200m".

The special schools most affected by the action are those where large numbers of classroom assistants are set to walkout.

They are moving to remote learning for all pupils for the duration of the week-long strike.

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Principal of Rossmar School Caroline Clements told BBC Radio Foyle taking a decision to close the school had been "heart-breaking".

It has a "huge impact" on pupils and parents, she added.

"Obviously parents are upset because pupils will not be in school for seven days but I have to say the majority of parents are supportive of our classroom assistants."

In its letter to parents, Glenveagh said pupils will not be able to attend for a week due to the degree of "staffing deficiency and associated risks".

"We understand that this is difficult for pupils and families," the letter said.

"Should the situation be resolved at any stage, we will of course immediately resume face-to-face learning."

Members of Unite were on strike in 2022 over a local government pay offer of 1.75%.