Icy weather didn't deter these workers from attending the picket line at schools across Co Armagh. Hundreds of school support staff from unions such as Unison, Unite, GMB and NIPSA joined the strike – one of the biggest strikes among non-teaching unions in years. The ongoing industrial dispute is over the failure to deliver a pay and grading review to education workers as part of a negotiated resolution of the 2022 pay dispute.
The strike is causing significant disruption to many schools with a large membership of unions in a variety of roles taking part in the industrial action. Some schools have closed as it is causing disruption to school bus transport, catering, administration, cleaning, classroom assistants and other roles.
9. Call for justice and fairness for school workers
Justice and fairness for classroom assistants is the plea on placards outside Lismore College, Craigavon, Co Armagh. Hundreds of school support staff from unions such as Unison, Unite, GMB and NIPSA joined the strike on the second day in what will be one of the biggest strikes among non-teaching unions in years. The ongoing industrial dispute is over the failure to deliver a pay and grading review to education workers as part of a negotiated resolution of the 2022 pay dispute. Photo: Carmel Robinson
10. Large picket line at Lismore College
Workers on the picket line at Lismore College, Craigavon, Co Armagh. Hundreds of school support staff from unions such as Unison, Unite, GMB and NIPSA joined the strike on the second day in what will be one of the biggest strikes among non-teaching unions in years. The ongoing industrial dispute is over the failure to deliver a pay and grading review to education workers as part of a negotiated resolution of the 2022 pay dispute. Photo: Carmel Robinson
11. Scores of workers on the picket line at Craigavon's Lismore College
Workers on the picket line at Lismore College, Craigavon, Co Armagh. Hundreds of school support staff from unions such as Unison, Unite, GMB and NIPSA joined the strike on the second day in what will be one of the biggest strikes among non-teaching unions in years. The ongoing industrial dispute is over the failure to deliver a pay and grading review to education workers as part of a negotiated resolution of the 2022 pay dispute. Photo: Carmel Robinson
12. Strikers at Lurgan Junior High School
Workers on the picket line at Lurgan Junior High School in Lurgan, Co Armagh. Hundreds of school support staff from unions such as Unison, Unite, GMB and NIPSA joined the strike on the second day in what will be one of the biggest strikes among non-teaching unions in years. The ongoing industrial dispute is over the failure to deliver a pay and grading review to education workers as part of a negotiated resolution of the 2022 pay dispute. Photo: Photo courtesy of Craigavon Trades Council