MLAs in the Assembly in Belfast are preparing to give themselves a 27% pay rise, justified by the “complexities of the job” while the workers who hold this society together — teachers, nurses, classroom assistants, waste and environmental services workers — have never received more than a 3–5% increase.
Our SEND system is collapsing, early‑intervention services are being stripped back, 1:1 classroom support is being cut, school leavers with additional needs are being abandoned and EA transport workers were forced into a 10% pay cut.
MLAs already receive extensive expenses and allowances — and if Stormont collapses again, they will still be paid, including this rise.
This is immoral, unjustifiable and an insult to every worker and every vulnerable child.
We demand the 27% MLA pay rise be stopped immediately.
Petition:
Our Petition seeks to Stop the 27% MLA Pay Rise — Stand Up for Workers, Families & Vulnerable Children
Petition to Stop MLAs Pay Rise“MLAs are preparing to award themselves a 27% pay rise, justified on the grounds of ‘the complexities of the job.’ Meanwhile, the people who actually keep this society running are exhausted, underpaid, and being pushed past breaking point. This is immoral. It is unjustifiable. And we refuse to accept it.” – Gemma Brolly, Aontú Deputy Leader
The Reality for Workers
While MLAs increase their own salaries by more than a quarter, public sector workers facing real complexities have never received anything close:
Classroom Assistants
Supporting children with profound needs, delivering therapies they were never trained or paid to provide, now facing cuts as the 1:1 system is “redesigned.” Largest pay increase ever: 3.2%
Nurses
Working 12‑hour shifts without breaks, taking abuse, making life‑and‑death decisions daily, carrying trauma home. Largest pay increase ever: 4-5%
Waste & Environmental Services Workers
Doing physically demanding, dangerous work in all weather, keeping our communities functioning. Largest pay increase ever: 3.2%
Teachers
Managing classes of 30+, taking abuse, acting as counsellor, social worker, speech therapist, behavioural specialist and safeguarding officer — all in one. Burning out at record rates. Largest increase ever: 5.5%
None of them have ever received a double‑digit pay rise.
None of them have ever received anything close to 27%.
Meanwhile, MLAs Already receive…
Fully funded travel; Meal allowances; Office costs; Staff budgets; IT equipment; Accommodation support; A generous pension scheme.
Ordinary workers pay for their own transport, food, tools, uniforms, childcare, training, PPE, and classroom resources. The contrast is staggering!
No work, no pay!
If Stormont collapses again, MLAs will continue to receive their salary — including this proposed 27% increase — along with all expenses, allowances, office budgets, travel costs, IT equipment, and pension contributions.
During the last collapse, MLAs still earned over £42,000 a year while the Assembly was shut, with only a 15% reduction imposed after public outrage. Ordinary workers only get paid when they work. MLAs get paid even when they don’t. And now they want a 27% rise on top of that.
And all the while our children are being failed!
Early‑intervention services are almost a dream; Children waiting years for assessments; Parents fighting for basic support.
This week, we learned the system of 1:1 classroom assistant designation for children with a statement for SEND is to be “redesigned” — in reality, more cuts!
Children who cannot access education without support are being left behind.
School Leavers with Additional Needs
When our young people leave school, the system simply stops caring: No protection, no support, no placements, no pathways. Nowhere to go.
Families describe it as a cliff edge — and they are right.
EA Transport Cuts
EA taxi drivers were forced to accept a 10% pay cut and many vulnerable children lost their chaperones as a result and yet MLAs are rewarding themselves with £14,000.
Charities Are Filling the Gaps
Food, clothing, disability support, mental‑health support, school resources — all being provided by charities because government no longer will.
This is not what a functioning society looks like.
This is A Pay Rise Built on Broken Promises
At election time, MLAs promised: Investment; Reform; Protection for public services
Instead, we have: Cuts, Crisis and Collapse with a 27% reward for themselves.
This is not leadership. This is not service. This is certainly not moral.
We Demand Better
We refuse to accept a system where:
- Vulnerable children lose support
- School leavers are abandoned
- Patients are on waiting lists for years awaiting medical treatment/diagnosis
- Workers are pushed into poverty
- Charities replace public services
- And MLAs enrich themselves
Sign this petition and stand with the workers, families, and communities who deserve better than this.
Petition to Stop MLAs Pay Rise
