Leader of the PUP Dawn Purvis MLA says she is “not surprised” at today’s rejection by NIPSA of the proposed management offer for classroom assistants.

Ms. Purvis said, “The offer that came from last weeks negotiations was absolutely ludicrous.  They offered a small one off payment to classroom assistants, if they gave up some of the terms and conditions of their contracts”.

“The classroom assistants have been left with no other choice but to continue their strike action this week.  That the employers have failed to address the key issues shows a clear lack of understanding as to the importance of the work that these people do”.

Ms. Purvis continued, “Again, I would urge other MLA’s to come out in support of NIPSA’s claim on this matter.  It is becoming increasingly clear that the classroom assistants are choosing at this time to accept nothing less. Nor should they be expected to”.