Specialist Learning Support staff start industrial action today

Speech language therapists, psychologists, advisers on deaf children, behaviour specialists and other Education Ministry specialist staff who are NZEI union members voted on action last week.

For a month, they won't take on any new cases and will only work between 8.30am and 4.30pm.

Field staff negotiations team leader Conor Fraser says it's concerning there were over 200 vacancies earlier this year.

She says the Ministry needs to address excessive caseloads and the severe staff shortage.