GMB union 'backs classroom deal'

Nipsa members look set to resume strike action

It is understood one union in the classroom assistants' dispute has voted to accept the deal on offer from employers.

The GMB says it represents 1,500 of the 7,000 assistants in Northern Ireland.

It is believed the final figures for the vote may not be available until Monday.

The union which has been on strike, Nipsa, is asking its members in a series of meetings on Thursday if they want to resume their action.

Education boards appear to be preparing for the strike to resume on Monday.

The Western Education and Library Board has written to families of special needs children encouraging them to fill in for absent classroom assistants by accompanying their children to school.

The board has said it will refund transport costs.

Talks to try to resolve the dispute ended on Tuesday night without agreement.

Nipsa has said unless its demands over job evaluations are met it will again call out on strike more than 2,000 of its classroom assistant members.

Last month, 10 days of strike action closed more than half of Northern Ireland's special schools.