Debate contribution: Teaching Unions: Ministerial Engagement

Debate contribution by Mr Paul Givan on 14 September 2026.

MLA: Mr Paul Givan
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist Party
Date: 14 September 2026
Type: Debate contribution (made as a minister)
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Teaching Unions: Ministerial Engagement
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5685643

Text

The Member rightly raises those issues of concern. I recognised them when I came into this role over two years ago. As part of the outworkings of a pay settlement, I commissioned the independent review to identify the issues, and it made 27 recommendations. I set about an implementation process to take that forward. As part of that process, trade unions have been working through that. We have had agreement with them on many areas, but it is an ongoing process. We need to get to the point at which we can implement the action plan to address the workload-related issues.
As long as we continue to talk about the issues, we will delay the ability to get on with working through the challenges. Doing so would have a positive impact.
Trade unions and management side are scheduled to meet the Labour Relations Agency this week. I asked for that to happen in an attempt to find some reconciliation in the process. I welcome the engagement with the trade unions and the fact that they have not taken immediate industrial action but have continued to make space to find a positive resolution. I hope that we will be able to reach that point.

203 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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