SIPTU has won increases of between 12 per cent and 39 per cent for 300 members in the National Training and Development Institute (NTDI), a subsidiary of the Rehab Group. They train people with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities. The increases are on top of those provided for in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.
Basic pay scales for instructors, which currently run from £15,876 to £20,879 a year, will be increased to between £16,320 and £28,458.
This will put them on a par with FAS instructors doing similar work. Hourly rates for manual staff are being increased from £6.43 to £6.89, plus increases worth £200 a year after five years, £400 after 10 years and £600 after 15 years.
Along with immediate improvements in pay, a joint union-management forum is to be established to agree bench-marking criteria with workers in appropriate outside employments.
All categories of workers at the NTDI, including instructors, supervisors, counsellors, psychologists, remedial/resource teachers, administrative staff, drivers and cleaning and catering staff are covered by the agreement. Union members have accepted some restructuring of the service.