Dear Parent/Guardian,
As you are probably aware from Media Reports a Teachers’ Strike has been called for the morning of Wednesday, 29th of Novenmber by all five teaching unions: the NITC, UTU, NASUWT, INTO, NAHT and NEU.
Voting for strike action is never an easy choice but teachers have been engaged in “Action Short of Strike” for more than a year, and neither the Department of Education nor the Secretary of State have shown any indication that they intend to engage with teachers to find a settlement to this dispute.
However, this dispute is not just about teachers’ pay; it is about the range and quality of services that can be offered to every Child in every Community when resources are stretched to breaking point.
On Wednesday, 29th of November our teachers will be striking and school will not open until 12 noon. (We understand there are plans for 4 further full day strikes in the Spring term, dates for these have not as yet been released.)
Dinners will be provided on the day of the strike but kitchen staff will need to know in advance how many children they are catering for. Therefore, if you wish your child to avail of School Dinners on the 29th, you must let the Office know on Tuesday, 28th. A reply slip will be sent home to every family, please return this if you wish your child/children to avail of school dinners on the 29th.
If you’d like to help our campaign please click on the link below. This will take you the INTO Union webpage were you can message Political representatives in the Newry and Armagh area and help raise the pressure! (The site is slow so please wait for the page to fully load and there is then a further link to follow.)
Thank you in advance of your support and please honk the horn if passing the picket line!
Teaching Staff of St Mary’s