News

To all our members in:

- Education support services

- Controlled and Maintained schools 

- Integrated Schools 

- Voluntary Grammars 

- Irish language medium schools

Dear Members, 

UNISON members in their thousands are profoundly disappointed to hear the NI Executive decision on the 2024 NI budget. Their hopes that a longstanding promise to resolve a pay and grading review have been dashed.

We hear very clearly that all parties have said that they support the workers' cause, but they do not have the money. Workers now need to know what they are going to do to get it.

Our members' determination to succeed will become even more evident over the coming days and weeks. There is no doubt that calls to resume picket lines will be heard.

UNISON members in the Northern Ireland health service on Agenda for Change pay, terms and conditions have voted to accept the restoration of pay parity with NHS England.

Over 29,000 thousand UNISON members were invited on line and though direct mail to give us their verdict.  They have given us a clear response.  Some 77.2% voted yes while 22.8% voted to reject. 

Today (11th March 2024), UNISON, the largest union in Northern Ireland representing thousands of education support services workers, will hold a seminar at Parliament Buildings, Stormont (5pm), as part of the union’s ongoing campaign calling for the introduction of universal free school meals in Northern Ireland. The event is sponsored by Nick Mathison MLA, Chairperson of the Assembly Education Committee. It is co-sponsored by Pat Sheehan MLA, Deputy Chairperson of the Education Committee, and Committee members Cara Hunter MLA and Robbie Butler MLA.