People Before Profit Councillor Shaun Harkin has accused the BBC of “demonising strikers”.
“They are attempting to blame strikers, who are trying to make sure they can put food on their tables, for impacting disabled children.
“It’s been over four months since the Children’s respite centre in Derry was closed “temporarily” by the Health & Social Care Trust. However, you don’t see Trust Directors getting the same kind of hostile questioning that trade unionists do. This is true even though the ongoing closure of Rosebud Cottage has hugely impacted on the lives of disabled children and their families”, said Cllr Harkin.
“Whether they’re bus drivers or classroom assistants or catering staff, those working with disabled children go above and beyond every day of the week. But they get little reward for their dedication, most are among the lowest paid workers. They’ve only gone on strike because they’ve been forced to in order to survive the cost of living crisis.
“We need to put the blame where it belongs: on the Education Authority and Stormont which have offered the workers an insulting pay raise of less than 2% when inflation is four times greater”, said Harkin.