NIPSA continues to press the Education Authority (EA) on the implementation of the 2026 NJC pay award, effective from 1 April 2026.
The EA has advised that it is still awaiting authorisation from the Department of Education and continues to pursue this.
In the meantime, NIPSA Assistant Secretary Janette Murdock, in her role as Lead Trade Union Side Secretary, has written to the Education Minister on behalf of the Education Support Staff Unions, making clear that NJC pay awards are a contractual entitlement for EA staff.
Education support staff play a vital role across the Education Authority and schools. The ongoing uncertainty over when the 2026 pay award will be implemented has left staff in an untenable position.
The Education Minister has been asked to intervene urgently to ensure that the Department of Education provides the necessary approval to the EA, and to confirm that funding is available to non-EA schools so they can also implement the pay award.
NIPSA will update members as soon as further information is received.