SEELB Debacle

antrim | worker & community struggles and protests | opinion/analysis Friday July 07, 2006 16:57 by Frank Lee

I was suprised to read in todays Belfast Telegraph Frank Bunting offering any opinion on the cash crisis at the SEELB. The conduct of the INTO in this matter has been disgraceful.

The lack of support from the teaching unions in this continuing crisis in Education has been disgraceful. Thier half hearted performance when given speaking rights at the SEELB's finance committee did little to help the cause. There is an acceptance among the non teaching unions that any fighting is going to be done without the help of the Teaching Unions. This being the case the unions such as Unison, NIPSA, T&G GMB have been doing their best for the education of the children in this province. Then all of a sudden Frank Bunting of the INTO has the cheek to spout some platitudes about the problems facing education and what a difficult time there is ahead. He didn't even bother to take part in the demonstration march on the 6th of July, but contented himself to "Review" the troops as they marched into the SEELB headquarters. The same happened in May 2005 when the non teaching Unions took strike action to protest at the under funding of education. It is worth remembering that on that day some of the lowest paid education workers and obviously the groups least able to afford the loss of a days pay. Took the principled stand for the good of the whole community. Stood up and demanded propper funding for their childrens education. Made themselves heard and sent a clear message to the Government. So much so that the then education minister announced extra money being made available.What happens, Frank popped up again to bask in the glory as if he and his Union had played any part in the victory!! It's time the INTO started paying attention to their own membership who "At the coal face" see what nighmares are ahead. If the INTO are not going to do anything usefull on this matter, then could Frank Bunting please have the decency to keep his mouth shut, and let the activist who are doing something do the talking.