Classroom Assistants

[An Fear Dubh]

In the north after 12 years of stalling the trade union NIPSA representing over 3000 classroom assistants balloted their membership and went on strike. The GMB union who has 1570 members voted 4 to 1 to accept the deal this week. (I think Unison also have a small number of members).
Now my understanding is that the deal wants to cut the hours that staff work. And the NVQ qualifications no longer entitles those who have obtained it to extra money. This means that classroom assistants that work in main stream schools will be paid the same as those that work in special needs schools. Which means in many cases in special needs schools they help the child with many things including toilet use.
The strike was suspended for two weeks while 'negotiations' took place. Now it looks like it is back to strike action. The minister for Education is SF's Catroina Ruane, she needs to be doing more to support low paid workers. Rather than stepping back and pretending this does not concern her. If a minister can not bring in an effective resolution to this long outstanding issue then they need too question the ability of that minister. Her solution seems to be to side with the Eduction Boards poor offer and engage in a divide and conquer tactic with union members and between unions.

[Wasp]

IMO anyone who works with special needs kids should receive the highest pay award. Their job is one that very few can do or would do.

[earl]

wasp said:

IMO anyone who works with special needs kids should receive the highest pay award. Their job is one that very few can do or would do.

I'll tell my mother her medal is in the post WASPy!

[Wasp]

earl said:

wasp said:

IMO anyone who works with special needs kids should receive the highest pay award. Their job is one that very few can do or would do.

I'll tell my mother her medal is in the post WASPy!

Too right Earl. IMO everyone that works with these kids/adults should be told both verbally and financially how much there work and efforts are appreciated. I know one student who wants to work with speial needs children and while doing a months work experience from Uni she spent her first week crying at the upsetting scenes etc that she came across.

[An Fear Dubh]

Alas Wasp you are not on the Education board, and we need to put pressure on the Education Boards and the Minister to resolve the issue in favour of the classroom assistants.

[Wasp]

Nurses and those who deal with special needs nned to be favoured. No pay rise would match there invaluable work but at least they could give them wages that help at least to show how valued their work is and how we all appreciate it.