Teacher strike ballot delivers 'clear message' to Education Minister

The teacher strike ballot delivers a “clear message” to Stormont Education Minister Paul Givan, according to Derry City and Strabane District councillor Shaun Harkin (People Before Profit).

Teachers in the North are to vote on whether to take industrial action over what they describe as their "unsustainable" workload. The five main teaching unions will ballot their members from June 10.

"Instead of prioritising our children's education, DUP Minister Paul Givan has chosen to provoke confrontation with teachers,” said Cllr Harkin.

READ NEXT: Homeowners in the North impacted by Donegal defective concrete must be included in a Public Inquiry

READ NEXT: Record rail surge sparks fresh demands for better Derry train timetables

“Teachers have long sounded the alarm on the impact of their workloads,” he added.

“Many teachers indicated it was more important to address unsustainable workloads than receiving pay increases. Given the cost pressures teachers and households are facing, this says a lot. Givan has made no effort to address the pressures teachers face.

“Our schools are grossly underfunded, many need repairs, classroom assistants are demanding fair pay and terms and many chilren with additional needs still don't have a September placement.

“To deflect from his and the Stormont Executive's failure to address challenges school's face, Givan has whipped-up division with visits to Israel and manipulation of school funding.

“The Minister has no credibility or confidence and should have left his post long ago. An anti-trade union Education Minister is unacceptable. Teachers should not have to strike to address their workloads. The announcement of the ballot sends a clear message that Givan must heed,” said Cllr Harkin.

“Children's learning conditions are teachers working conditions. People Before Profit send our solidarity to the teaching trade unions."