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Schools disrupted by pay dispute Pay offer put to school helpers
(about 5 hours later)
Thouands of classroom assistants are on strike in an escalation of a dispute over the way their pay is calculated. Unions say they will consult classroom assistants on the detail of an offer from the employers.
Some special schools have closed as 3,000 assistants, members of Nipsa, began a three-day strike. Thousands of special needs pupils had to stay home on Tuesday, as Nipsa members began a three-day strike.
Trade unions involved in the strike have been called to a meeting with the employers which was brought forward a day. The union said talks had not yet solved the issue, and it was disappointed no further money had been offered.
Education Minister Caitriona Ruane has called for more action and immediate talks to end the strike. Employers said the talks were useful. Unions were last week offered a one-off £15m payment to compensate for a change in the way salaries are calculated.
On Friday, the unions were offered a new deal which included a £15m one-off payment to compensate for a change in the way salaries are calculated. They said that could mean £2,500 for each assistant. However, Nipsa said the offer did not go far enough.
Unions said that could mean £2,500 for each assistant. However, Nipsa said the offer did not go far enough.
The sticking point in the dispute is the change in the number of hours that assistants have to work to get a full salary.The sticking point in the dispute is the change in the number of hours that assistants have to work to get a full salary.
Some of the unions involved admit that if classroom assistants are treated as a special case, other job sectors could take legal action claiming unequal treatment.Some of the unions involved admit that if classroom assistants are treated as a special case, other job sectors could take legal action claiming unequal treatment.
Home stay Schools closed
Many mainstream schools have told parents whose children have assistants allocated to them, to keep them home. As the talks took place, some special schools were closed while many mainstream schools told parents to keep at home children who have assistants allocated to them.
Lily Kerr from Unison, which also represents classroom assistants, said its members will be consulted before deciding whether to go on strike. Talks will continue on Wednesday, after which the unions will put the fine detail of the latest offer to their members.
"This is a last-ditch attempt by classroom assistants - the parents clearly understand the level of frustration. One spokesman said he hoped the dispute could be over by Christmas, but at this stage, Nipsa is still planning an all-out strike from Monday.
"What we need to do now is actually enage with our members," Ms Kerr said. Frank Bunting, from the Irish National Teachers' Organisation, said teachers needed to stand behind the classroom assistants and understand their difficulties.
An all-out strike by Nipsa is planned from next Monday unless a settlement is agreed. "It is going to be very difficult in schools for teachers and principals trying to manage this sensitive situation," said the teaching union spokesman.
Frank Bunting, from the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO), said teachers needed to stand behind the classroom assistants and understand their difficulties. We hope that the powers that be get together and resolve this."
"It is going to be very difficult in schools for teachers and principals trying to manage this sensitive situation. We hope that the powers that be get together and resolve this."