Strike talks follow deal failure

Nipsa members could resume strike action

A trade union is to begin consulting its members on resuming strike action by classroom assistants.

The Nipsa union has rejected a pay offer following two weeks of discussion with employers.

Education Minister Caitriona Ruane said she was extremely disappointed no agreement had been reached.

Employers said the other unions appeared to believe the offer on the table was the best available and that they were "extremely frustrated".

Robin Harper, who represents the employers, said the offer was a good one.

"Our offer was a good offer, it was our best and final offer," he said.

"We have spent the past two weeks trying to explain that, to clarify that and to make that absolutely clear - so as you can understand we're extremely angry and frustrated at this point in the discussions."

I'm putting it out with no recommendation - our members themselves will make up their minds Lily Kerr Unison

Nipsa's John Corey said employers were not prepared to move on the key issues concerning his members, including pay, special needs allowances and recognising NVQ level three qualifications.

"Classroom assistants that we represent are adamant that they are not prepared to accept a change to the method of calculation of their hourly rates of pay," he said.

Nipsa will hold meetings with its members on Thursday to discuss its course of action. The union has said unless its demands over job evaluations are met it will call more than 2,000 of its classroom assistant members out again.

Lily Kerr from the Unison union, said the talks were never close to agreement - and that now it was time for their members to decide what they wanted to do next.

"I'm putting it out with no recommendation - our members themselves will make up their minds," she said.

"We will have to then discuss, if they reject it, what happens because that would take us into a ballot for industrial action."

Ms Ruane said that Nipsa should consult with their members on the offer, like the other three unions.

"On 28 September an improved offer was made by the employers. An extra £15m would ensure every classroom assistant received a one-off payment," she said.

"This is on top of the £30m already identified for the job evaluation exercise."

The employers have asked Nipsa to exclude special schools from any strike action.

Earlier this month, 10 days of strike action closed more than half of special schools in Northern Ireland.