28 AUGUST 2025

SDLP Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA has strongly criticised Education Minister Paul Givan for unilaterally moving to outlaw lawful union activity, sparking outrage among teachers across Northern Ireland.

Teaching unions including INTO, NASUWT and the NEU have branded the plans "Trump-esque" and a "slap in the face".

Cara Hunter MLA said:

"This is the latest in a string of solo runs by the Education Minister, who has ignored the public consultation on the issue and appears to be operating without any Executive restraint.

"At a time when schools are crippled by chronic underfunding, teacher shortages, and soaring pressures in the classroom, our teachers continue to give everything to support our young people.

"Instead of backing them, the Minister has gone on the offensive, threatening punitive fines, criminalising teachers, and tearing up basic trade union rights to cover for failures in his own department.

"This isn't an isolated mistake, it is part of a reckless pattern of ideologically driven decisions that trample over rights, ignore evidence, and offer no solutions to fix our broken education system.

"The SDLP will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with teachers, parents and pupils, and we are urging his Executive colleagues to wake-up to these dangerous solo runs before further damage is done."