NIPSA, the largest union from the non-teaching workforce in education, underwent the longest period of continuous strike action in the history of the Education Authority (EA) recently.

The strike action for fair pay commenced on March 8 and continued until April 1. In the Fermanagh Omagh district, NIPSA education welfare officers picketed every day outside the EA offices in Omagh.

Speaking ahead of the strike action, Alan Law, NIPSA assistant secretary (acting), said: “Education welfare officers play a hugely important role in the education of children and young people. They are instrumental in ensuring that attendance levels improve and work with families to ensure that this happens. There are extensive waiting lists to access an education welfare officer.

“NIPSA regrets that the refusal by the EA to address the pay demand is leading to increased waiting times, NIPSA members want to be providing for these vulnerable children and their families, but staff continue to be forced into Industrial Action as all other attempts to resolve this dispute have failed.”

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter this week, following the completion of the strike action last Friday, Alan said: “The strike action has finished but we’ve agreed to set up a a conciliation process with the Labour Relations Agency who have a statutory function where they will help parties in dispute try and reach an agreement. So we’re in the process of those meetings being commenced. That’s really where things are at.

He explained that although the staff are back at work, they are continuing to work what’s known as action short of strike action.

“So there are a number of tasks that they are not going to be involved in until the dispute is resolved.

“There will hopefully be a period of intensive negotiations over the next few weeks to try and resolve this dispute,” said Alan.

A spokesperson for the EA said: “Our Education Welfare Service is under transformation to ensure that we meet the needs of our children and young people. The role provides an important service in promoting and supporting positive attendance at school, and has been reviewed through engagement with families, schools and children and young people.

"We are committed to negotiations with NIPSA to find a resolution to the Education Welfare Officer pay dispute and constructive engagement is ongoing. The recent period of strike action has ended and Education Welfare Officers are working to support children and young people in achieving positive school attendance.

"We will continue to do everything possible to make sure that the needs of our children and young people who use the service are addressed throughout this ongoing industrial action.”