Speaking after joining striking education support workers on the picket line, Andy Allen MBE MLA, said:

"Our education support workers are the backbone of our education system. The roles they fulfil are essential to the delivery of education and should be recognised as such. The Northern Ireland Executive must, without any further delay, bring the outstanding pay and grading review dispute to a satisfactory conclusion, sending a clear message that the role of our education support workers is valued.

“Workers don’t want to resort to striking, but after speaking with many of them, it is clear they feel they have been left with little option but to take their fight for fair pay and grading to the picket line."