RSF support Classroom Assistants.
RSF support Classroom Assistants. 20 Samhain/November 2007 Republican Sinn Féin has expressed its support for the NIPSA-affiliated Classroom Assistants in their ongoing battle to improve their employment conditions. They were described by Publicity Officer, Richard Walsh, as an inspiration to all exploited workers. “Catríona Ruane has attempted to lay the blame on those engaged in industrial action. However, after twelve long years of fruitless negotiations they have been left with no alternative. It is the refusal to negotiate a fair deal for Classroom Assistants which has led to the closure of special schools," he said. “Whilst the Provos may wish to ally themselves with those on the Management side, Republican Sinn Féin recognises the right of all employees to fair conditions of employment. The courageous stand taken by Classroom Assistants will serve as an inspiration to exploited workers everywhere. “It is time that the party of Ms. Ruane dropped all pretence of defending Republican and Socialist ideals.” Sinn Féin Poblachtach See for more http://www.rsfcork.com or http://saoirse.21.forumer.com

Good For RSF... As usual speaking out on the correct side of what is to me, a truly important issue. Classroom Assistants directly affect the education of our children, there can be no greater a priority, they deserve to earn a decent living.

I am glad to see RSF give backing to the classroom assistants. They are poorly paid workers yet are performing a responsible and demanding job.

Classroom Assistamts denied democracy Are the ballots rigged? Having fought their way through weeks of attacks by their employers/Sinn Fein/DUP, Classroom Assistants yesterday faced another barrier to a just settlement of the ongoing job evaluation dispute. Employers linked up with UNISON and GMB to outvote NIPSA and T&G and to force a rotten deal through the Joint Negotiating Council for education. Education Boss Caitroina Ruane made repeated calls for NIPSA Classroom Assistants to hold a ballot on the rotten deal but when Classroom Assistants offered to do so they where denied the opportunity to hold a ballot and the unjust settlement was forced through instead. The other unions, UNISON and GMB have insisted that the majority of Classroom Assistants have voted for the offer but have not released any accurate figures for their ballots. Angry Classroom Assistants have called for a public inquiry into the ballot procedure and are demanding that the membership figures for each union are released. The ICTU intervened in the dispute to broker an inter-union agreement which would have tied Classroom Assistants hand and foot. This extraordinary and historic document is attached. http://www.indymedia.ie/attachments/dec2007/sell_out.pdf http://www.indymedia.ie/article/85302

Letter in yesterdays Irish News: Striking classroom assistants 'are an inspiration to all exploited workers' PAUL Butler (December 1) speaks with the forked tongue which has long been associated with the Provisionals. Whilst claiming to support the classroom assistants and their right to strike, he subsequently condemns the format of their industrial action. He argues that there is an "unacceptable impact" on children at special needs schools. However, we in Republican Sinn Féin recognise that it is the refusal by management for some 12 years to treat them equitably which has affected the education of these children. The Provos - both through Mr Butler and Stormont education minister Caitríona Ruane - seek to pressurise Nipsa into halting their strike action and accepting an entirely inadequate offer. It is hardly surprising that they would wish to undermine the democratic processes of a union, given the fact that they represent a party which has systematically ignored the democratic processes within its own structures. It is time that the Provos dropped all pretence of defending Republican and Socialist values, and ceased styling themselves as Sinn Féin - an organisation they departed from 21 years ago. We in Sinn Féin (i.e. Republican Sinn Féin) will continue to support those seeking to protect their employment rights and believe that the striking classroom assistants are an inspiration to all exploited workers. RISTEARD BREATHNACH Sinn Féin Poblachtach

Well stated Risteard and more power to your keyboard!

Most in the teaching field are grossly underpaid, and I hope these Assistants are able to be treated better following this strike.