THERE were calls last night for an "immediate resolution" to be found after it emerged that Unite, which represents classroom assistants, is to extend its industrial action over pay.
Koulla Yiasouma, Commissioner for Children and Young People, said the "further loss of education and services" for children and young people, particularly those with special education needs, was "untenable".
Unite members are currently striking, with the planned action due to have finished on Monday.
But the Education Authority confirmed it had received notification from the union of a "further period of industrial action from 11 May to 1 June".
It also comes after a previous walk-out by Unite members in March over a local government pay offer of 1.75 per cent. The union has called that a "real-terms pay cut" as the cost of living has been surging due to rising fuel, energy and food costs.
Special schools have been particularly impacted by the strike action, with Glenveagh Special School in Belfast unable to open due to a lack of staff.
Ms Yiasouma said it was "disappointing and concerning" that children were being "severely affected" by the industrial action.
"Children and young people with special educational needs (SEN), particularly those attending Special Schools, were severely affected by the pandemic and the restrictions," she said.
"Special schools provide education but also essential therapeutic and health care services and these were lost to many children and families.
"It is, therefore, disappointing and concerning that it is these very same children, particularly those at Glenveagh Special School, who are most severely affected by this industrial action.
"I do not question a worker’s right to strike, especially when we consider the impact of the rising cost of living on so many families.
"However, I urge both sides to make special considerations for children and young people and come to an immediate resolution so that children can enjoy their right to a full education and to health care."
A spokeswoman for the EA said it was "very conscious of the real impact that the ongoing strike is having on children and young people, particularly at Glenveagh School which has had to move to remote learning as a result of the industrial action".
"We are in daily contact with the school and have been exploring all possibilities to try and facilitate at least some face to face learning for children and young people," she said.
She added: "We would also ask Unite to reconsider our requests for exemptions for staff supporting special school services which are valid, reasonable and would help protect our most vulnerable children".
Gareth Scott from Unite said in an earlier statement that employers were to blame for the resumption of strike action.
"These employers need to address the pay expectations of their workforce," he said.
"Their failure to do so to date has led to this escalation and the unnecessary disruption that will inevitably result."
