Term-time staff nearer to settling pay dispute

A comprehensive package put forward before Christmas by management of the Province's five Education and Library Boards was greeted by NIPSA, the union representing most of the 5,000 classroom assistants, secretaries and technicians, as being 'a step forward'. However, the union is currently seeking clarification of several issues before putting the proposals to its members for a vote.

NIPSA spokesman Brian Booth said, 'Members are happy that management have at last made a serious offer, which still needs further negotiation. We are seeking clarification on a couple of issues - for the deal to be backdated to 1 September 2000 and full clarification from management on what is meant by being "required to engage in like or similar work potentially at different locations". This needs to be crystal clear or there will be further problems down the road.'

Mr Booth added that until he heard from management, plans for industrial action remained in place. He said, 'We would hope that they don't drag their heels and clarify what has been asked of them as soon as possible.' The management proposals include offering all existing staff the option to transfer to a 52-week contract on the basis of their existing number of contractual hours. Transfer to this contract would be conditional upon staff being required to work the normal number of weeks appropriate to a full-time contract and all new school-based appointments being made on the basis of a 52-week contract from the date of the agreement ending term-time working.