Parents of children with special educational needs are facing concerns as their schools are closing during eight days of upcoming strike action. This strike has been initiated by support staff, including bus drivers, canteen workers, and classroom assistants, as part of their ongoing pay dispute. These strikes are expected to impact special schools like Glenveagh School in Belfast, closing them on the days of the strike due to the lack of staffing.
Ann-Marie O’Neill, whose 10-year-old son has a rare genetic condition and attends Glenveagh School, stated that the disruption will have a “massive impact” on Eoin, who is heavily reliant on routine. She further added that “once again it’s the children with special needs who are disproportionately impacted.” Emma Morgan, whose five-year-old son attends a social and communication unit at Cumran Primary School in Clough, added that “it’s shocking that some of our most vulnerable children are going to be out of school for eight days in comparison to one day.”
The pay dispute has resulted in a series of strikes by healthcare staff, civil servants, teachers, and other workers. However, this dispute has led to a greater issue where educators in Northern Ireland are not being paid in parity with the rest of the UK. Due to the lack of routine caused by the strikes, Ms. O’Neill stated that it impacts Eoin’s sleeping, which has a real impact on him and the entire family. Ms. Morgan further added that special education and school staff in Northern Ireland need to be paid fairly, as they are wonderful people who do amazing work.
Trade union Unite stated that its members in the Education Authority (EA) will be taking part in industrial action from 17th to 19th January, 24th to 26th January, and 1st to 2nd February. These strikes are among a number of actions being undertaken by public sector workers in Northern Ireland, with tens of thousands set to take part in a strike unions have billed as the biggest in Northern Ireland’s history on Thursday 18th January
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