A strike by thousands of classroom assistants in Northern Ireland could continue for weeks, a trade unionist claimed today.
The 3,000 classroom assistants have resumed their strike today
The strike by 3,000 members of public service union NIPSA closed 27 of the North's 45 special schools and disrupted classes in many more mainstream schools.
After a series of one-day strikes and a three-day strike last week, NIPSA went on indefinite strike today - and it was confirmed no efforts were being made to get fresh negotiations under way.
While NIPSA remains on strike, members of three other unions are considering the latest pay offer and consulting with their members. Until the result of ballots are known there is little or no chance of separate negotiations with NIPSA.
Education Minister Caitriona Ruane today welcomed the three unions' consideration of the offer, adding: "I would call on those engaged in industrial action to desist from any action that places the burden of the disagreement onto those children and families who most need help."
The strike is the culmination of a 12-year-old dispute over pay and conditions. Industrial action was launched when a job evaluation scheme carried out by employers resulted in what unions said was a pay cut.
Employers have offered an additional £15 million as a one-off payment to compensate for any losses. But NIPSA said one-off payments of some £2,500 went little way to cover the loss of up to £2,000 a year for some. Union general secretary John Corey warned the strike action could go on for weeks - insisting there would be no progress without a revised pay offer.
He said: "The employers have to shift. So far they have produced an offer which was a feeble measure attempting to buy off classroom assistants.
"If the employers and the department think that classroom assistants represented by NIPSA are going to accept the current offer they are far mistaken."
This is the first time unlimited picketing has taken place among Nipsa's 3,000 classroom assistant members.