Ryan FowlerNorthern Ireland’s Education Minister Paul Givan has welcomed the decision by teaching unions INTO, NEU, NASUWT, and UTU to suspend industrial action planned for next week. This move allows time for continued discussions aimed at finalising ongoing pay negotiations.
Givan said: “I welcome today’s positive development that unions have agreed to suspend their planned Action Short of Strike on the issue of pay and to allow negotiations to reach a conclusion.”
He added: “Teachers deserve a fair and appropriate pay settlement, and I am determined to achieve that. I have been clear with the unions that I am committed to securing the funding required to make a formal pay offer in the context of the agreement reached in the summer of last year in England and Wales, on the understanding that we secure agreement to a sustained period of stability, free from industrial action, including ASOS, in our schools.”
Givan concluded: “I have asked Management Side to intensify discussions with our trade union partners to reach a formal agreement over the next four weeks.”
The suspension of industrial action marks a hopeful step towards resolving the pay dispute and ensuring long-term stability for Northern Ireland’s schools. Negotiations are set to continue, with a formal agreement anticipated in the coming month.
