The government’s decision to block the local government pay deal to Northern Ireland education staff has been slammed as “shameful and unworthy” by public sector union Unison, writes Clare Jerrom.
The UK Treasury has put a block on the negotiated pay deal for more than 30,000 workers in Northern Ireland. The department of education (NI) has instructed the employers to halt the payments and make a business case for any pay award exceeding 3.5 per cent.
“Unison won’t allow its members to be treated like political footballs and won’t allow the department to get away with this,” said Dave Prentis Unison’s general secretary. “We will be seeking urgent talks to resolve this.”
The pay awards are part of the UK-wide three-year-settlement worth 8.9 per cent. The deal included a commitment through the local government pay commission to address the disadvantage suffered by these low paid key workers.
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