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Senior trade unionists meet in Belfast over strike | |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Senior members of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) are to meet in Belfast later to discuss a public sector strike on 30 November. | |
Two more teaching unions in Northern Ireland have voted to strike. | |
The National Association of Head Teachers and the Irish National Teachers Organisation cited pension concerns and education budget cuts. | |
ICTU President Eugene McGlone said there was widespread support for strike action. | |
"All the unions that have balloted thus far have had very positive results and indicated that they are taking industrial action," he said. | |
"They have given the 'yes' vote for industrial action, from senior civil servants all the way down the line. There will be a massive reaction on the 30th." | |
The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) said more than half its members voted and almost 67% backed a strike. | The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) said more than half its members voted and almost 67% backed a strike. |
The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) said 88% of those who voted backed strike action. | |
It is the first time in its history that the NAHT, has voted to strike. | It is the first time in its history that the NAHT, has voted to strike. |
It has 800 members in Northern Ireland - principals and vice-principals. | |
'Strong vote' | |
The NAHT said concern about changes to principals and vice-principals' pension schemes and worries about cuts to the education budget had led to a strong vote for a strike. | The NAHT said concern about changes to principals and vice-principals' pension schemes and worries about cuts to the education budget had led to a strong vote for a strike. |
The INTO announced its ballot result on Tuesday. | |
Gerry Murphy, Northern secretary, INTO said: "This is a very significant result and it is essential that those individuals charged with the management of teachers' pensions recognise the significant anger that exists amongst the educational community. | Gerry Murphy, Northern secretary, INTO said: "This is a very significant result and it is essential that those individuals charged with the management of teachers' pensions recognise the significant anger that exists amongst the educational community. |
However, the Ulster Teachers Union (UTU) is not taking strike action because its constitution requires a two-thirds vote in favour, but just over half its members voted to go on strike. | |
Avril Hall-Callaghan, general secretary of UTU said: "While the UTU rules and constitution do not permit us to go on strike unless two thirds support such action, nevertheless the strength of feeling has clearly been exhibited." | Avril Hall-Callaghan, general secretary of UTU said: "While the UTU rules and constitution do not permit us to go on strike unless two thirds support such action, nevertheless the strength of feeling has clearly been exhibited." |
She said the UTU's central executive committee would be holding a special meeting on Monday to discuss a campaign of action. | She said the UTU's central executive committee would be holding a special meeting on Monday to discuss a campaign of action. |
"We will be advising our members and we will be closely co-ordinating this action with our colleagues in INTO and the other teaching unions," she added. | "We will be advising our members and we will be closely co-ordinating this action with our colleagues in INTO and the other teaching unions," she added. |