by Adrian Mullan

THERE were toots of horns and waves from passing cars from parents who supported the one day strike by classroom assistants at a number of schools in Omagh as part of a Six County wide walk out for better pay and recognition of qualifications.

Pickets were mounted at St Colmcille's Primary, St Connor's, St Mary's Killyclogher and Arvalee PS.

A number of parents, especially those with children who have special needs, have been outraged at the treatment of the classroom assistants by the Education and Library Boards. One Mother, Laura Kelly, whose six year-old son, autistic son, James, attends St Connor's PS (Culmore) said the child would simply be unable to go to school if the class room assistants were not there.

"James wasn't able to go to school today because the girls are out on strike. I support them 100%, they do a great job, it's just a shame that they can't get what they want. James couldn't go to school unless he had his wee helper because he couldn't manage, especially at playground times, break-time and dinner-time, he just wouldn't settle."

She continued, "I live quite near the school. I'd be afraid of him just dandering on down the road and ending up at home. It wouldn't bother him."

Mrs Kelly said that as far as she could tell all of the other parents of children with special needs fully supported the classroom assistants in their demand for a pay increase and recognition of their qualifications.

Another, parent, the father of a nine year-old girl with special needs said he'd received a letter from his daughter's school advising him not to attend on a number of dates on which there will be industrial action. He expressed concern that his son would be missing out on valuable school time including the full week beginning October 8. He said that children with Special Needs would be hit hardest by the dispute and hoped that the situation would be resolved soon.

A spokesperson for the striking workers said, "We have waited patiently for twelve years to have our posts fairly evaluated. Morale is low, tension and stress levels have reached breaking point our only option is strike action.

"We have a professional role in school, the teachers we work with rely on us and we rely on them. Many classroom assistants work more hours at school and at home than the contracted hours and do not seek over-time."

However, the spokesperson said that the treatment of staff by the Western Education and Library Board, and other boards has killed off goodwill.

"This has been described as the biggest industrial relations scandal in the history of Northern Ireland... the class room assistants are paying for the maladministration by the boards," said the spokesperson.

Headmistress of St Connor's, Catriona McGettigan, told the Herald, "We support the class room assistants. They work very hard especially with the children with special needs and the P1s. They give a lot of time to the school above and beyond their contracted hours. I hope it's resolved soon."

The Minister for Education, Catriona Ruane, has urged the Boards to reach a settlement with the classroom assistants and to "Put more money in their pay packets" - but even yet the Boards have not yet agreed a settlement.

A Western Education and Library Board (WELD) spokesperson said, "The Classroom Assistant Pay and Grading issue applies to all classroom assistants employed by the five Education and Library Boards and is currently the subject of detailed, central negotiations between the Boards and the accredited trade unions, representing the interests of staff. It is not an issue which is exclusive to the WELB.

"In light of the critical nature and stage of ongoing negotiations it is deemed inappropriate for one Board to provide commentary on an issue which affects all staff employed as Classroom Assistants in schools throughout Northern Ireland."