Strikers target NI teachers' pay and pensions

Striking Northern Ireland civil servants were condemned by the British government tonight for targeting pay and pensions for teachers and retired teachers.

More than 150 members of public service union NIPSA went on indefinite strike today in the Derry Department of Education division which handles teachers’ pay and pensions.

Union members handling Health Service pensions in Derry and 40 staff at the Belfast headquarters of the Child Support Agency also went on indefinite strike.

They all joined over 200 union members in the Rates Collection Agency, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Offices and the Coleraine Social Security Office who went on all-out strike last week.

The indefinite strike is a stepping up of industrial action over pay which has been going on since before Christmas.

Previously strikes have been focused and limited to a week in length.

Education Minister Barry Gardiner expressed his disappointment that NIPSA was targeting his department.

He said: “We have some of the most professional, dedicated teachers in the UK.

“They work hard to ensure that our children receive the very best education possible and I am very disappointed that NIPSA members have targeted them in this way.”

Mr Gardiner added: “I am appalled that teacher pensioners, vulnerable members of our society, will also be affected by their strike.”

The Department has put contingency arrangements in place to minimise the impact of the action and to “ensure that as far as possible teachers, teacher pensioners and temporary teachers receive payment at the end of May,” it said.