Unions concerned over school safety

Education support staff “must not be put at risk of harm as schools reopen” a trade union group has said.

JNC Trade Union side (consisting or unions NIPSA, UNISON, GMB and UNITE representing over 15,000 Support Staff employed across the entire Education Sector) have put the Education Authority (EA) on notice over concerns of inadequate guidance published by the Department of Education last week.

They said far too many issues remain unresolved, with promised measures to protect health and safety yet to materialise. 

A spokesperson said: “We are growing seriously concerned that the risks presented to our members who work as education support staff, particularly in schools’ transport, are not being taken seriously enough. Measures that have previously been agreed to minimise the risk to our members’ health and safety are not yet in place across Northern Ireland.  

“For example, in schools transport the EA has yet to fit protective Perspex screens for drivers or install hand sanitiser, despite agreeing to Trade Unions request that they do so.”

They added: “It is unacceptable that the EA has yet to properly implement an agreed action such as this to protect the health and safety of our members, particularly given that such measures are being used on public transport. 

“The EA is under legal duties to protect the health and safety of our members not only in transport, but also across cleaning, catering and other major support services without which schools cannot reopen. Our members have a legal right not to work in an environment where there are serious dangers to their health and safety.

“If the EA fails to step up to the mark and do the right things to protect our members, we will provide advice and support them if they choose to exercise their rights. 

“We have demanded an urgent meeting of the JNC and will need significant assurances that the health and safety of our members will be safeguarded. Schools must reopen in a safe and responsible manner, not in a way that puts our members at risk.”

-------

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you.