18th January 2024
As trade unionists across the north finalised preparations for strikes on today, Thursday, 18 January 2024, INTO Northern Secretary, Mark McTaggart stated:
Public service workers have been pawns in this political impasse for long enough. The Secretary of State has made it clear that funds are available to bring about a fair pay settlement for our members and yet he and the DUP appear content to play a game of tug of war with it while workers struggle to make ends meet. I have said it before and I say it again, a just Public Sector pay solution cannot be dependent on the action or inaction of any politician or political party.
What is even more frustrating for our members is the fact that all those who hold the purse strings have agreed with all the teaching unions that the issue of the vast differential in teachers’ pay in the north compared to teachers across these islands is unsustainable and must be addressed. So, I call on the British Secretary of State to stop this political House of Cards charade.
Teachers and school leaders will have an opportunity on Thursday to demonstrate their feelings regarding their profession and the failure of employers to recognise their true value. If the employers want children and young people to have access to the best possible education system, then they must make a fair pay offer to teachers and school leaders and ensure that proper funds are made available going forward so that the cuts made to education services can be reversed.
INTO calls on all members to be Visual and be Vocal so your employers can see and hear your discontent.