Strike threat at NI special schools

Special needs schools have been threatened with new strike action by classroom assistants.

Special needs schools have been threatened with new strike action by classroom assistants.

Union leaders today confirmed overwhelming support for more stoppages by members of the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance.

More than half of the special schools were closed for several days last month.

Even though at least one of the unions involved in the dispute has accepted the deal on offer, Nipsa, which represents more than 3,000 assistants, insisted today it wasn't enough.

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A meeting is being held later today to decide the course of action, but a new strike is on the cards.

Union official John Corey said: "Our members are not prepared to accept the disgraceful way they have been treated by their employers and they are determined to continue with this dispute until it's resolved."