Classroom assistants mount indefinite strike in the North

Classroom assistants in the North have begun a fresh strike this morning as part of a row over pay and other issues.

Around 3,000 members of the public service union NIPSA are involved in the action.

They mounted a three-day strike last week, but have now stopped work indefinitely in a move that is likely to force the closure of 50 special needs schools.

Hundreds of mainstream schools are also likely to be disrupted by the move.

The dispute centres on the length of the working week on which the salary for classroom assistants is based, as well as allowances for special needs and recognition for higher qualifications.