UPDATE ON PAY AND GRADING REVIEW FOR EDUCATION STAFF

The return of devolved government, a new Executive and a new Education minister have led many support service workers to expect early progress on pay improvement through a pay and grading review.

Unions were told funding to support pay improvement is not included in the first tranch of money set aside to solve public sector pay disputes. It is now clear that those workers who have not yet received a cost of living pay rise will be prioritised in the payout.

UNISON deplores the failure to include the essential funding for the review and is demanding the forthcoming 2024/2025 Executive budget due in April includes this funding. Minister Paul Givan was asked to make a public commitment to seek and secure funding.

Unison intends to demand support of ALL political parties around the Executive table to vote to include this essential funding in the forthcoming budget.