Teachers Take Part In Half-Day Strike Across NI

Teachers from hundreds of schools across Northern Ireland are taking part in a half-day strike today, 18 January, over a pay dispute.

Around 7,000 members of the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) will start work at 12.30pm.

Parents have been informed and a number of schools are closed this morning.

Education Minister Peter Weir said he was "disappointed" by the move.

Seamus Hanna, Chairman of the INTO's Northern Committee, said: "Teachers remain the only group within education to be denied any increase for 2015/16.

"It needs to be made clear that Minister Peter Weir MLA has subsequently attempted to confuse the public by presenting a contractual salary entitlement paid to just nine per cent of young teachers as a pay increase for all teachers.

"Despite the sincerity of our efforts all attempts to find a just settlement and avoid the closure of schools have now failed.

"The INTO is now directed by our members to engage in both, half day strike action and, in action short of strike, which will include non co-operation with the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI)."

SDLP Education Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA said: "Teaching professionals across this region have been taken for a ride. These people dedicate their lives to enriching the experience of our children and preparing them for their own lives. The offer of a 0% increase for 2015/16 was nothing short of an insult. And a 1% offer for 2016/17 is unacceptable.

"When DUP Ministers are on a pre-election spending bonanza, allocating millions to community halls and marching bands, it is a disgrace that teachers have to go on strike for a fair pay offer. The priorities of the parties of government – boilers and bands – are completely misplaced."

(CD/JP)