25th April 2023
Members of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) in Northern Ireland will engage in strike action on Wednesday, 26 April in their ongoing campaign for fair pay.
Expressing solidarity with members in the jurisdiction, INTO President Dorothy McGinley said:
As the President of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation, I stand in full support of our colleagues in Northern Ireland who will engage in strike action on Wednesday, 26 April, in their ongoing campaign for fair pay. The INTO represents 50,000 teachers across the island of Ireland, and we stand united with our members in the North in this important fight for fair compensation. It is time for us to value teaching and value the profession.
“It is unacceptable that our colleagues in Northern Ireland have been subjected to pay freezes and stagnation for years, while the cost of living continues to rise. As teachers, we know that fair pay is not only a matter of justice, but it is also essential for the recruitment and retention of quality teachers.
“I urge our members in the Republic of Ireland to show their solidarity with our members in the North on Wednesday, 26 April, and to share messages of support on social media. The INTO is committed to supporting our colleagues in Northern Ireland in their campaign for fair pay, and we will continue to stand by them until their demands are met.
“A series of funding cuts have decimated schools in Northern Ireland, with the imposition of further cuts on some 471 schools announced last week impacting the most vulnerable pupils, ending breakfast clubs and afterschool provision among other critical services.
“Fair pay for teachers is not a luxury; it is a necessity. The INTO will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that all teachers, regardless of their location, receive the fair compensation they deserve. We stand in solidarity with our colleagues in Northern Ireland and will continue to support them in their fight for justice.”