Clare’s school secretaries are warning of major disruption for students in the new term.
It comes as the union representing secretaries and caretakers has told the Oireachtas that it’s prepared for indefinite strike action when schools reopen in August.
In May, over 98% of Fórsa’s secretaries and caretakers at both primary and secondary schools nationwide balloted for industrial action, in a row over pay and conditions.
The issue stems from a 2023 agreement with the Department of Education, in which secretaries were brought onto a centralised public payroll and received significant pay improvements.
However, they’re still excluded from the Single Public Service Pension Scheme and are also denied key entitlements like occupational sick pay and bereavement leave.
Vice-Chair of Fórsa School Secretaries Branch on the Clare/Galway border Rena McGrath says the situations staff have been left in are incomprehensible.
It’s not yet known what form the strike might take, with some school Principals reportedly voicing concerns about reduced opening hours or teachers even joining the picket line, with industrial action due to get underway on August 28th.
Bernie Dillon, who’s been Secretary at St Senan’s Primary School in Kilrush for over twenty years, says it’s not a career she would financially recommend to any of her children and that they have to stand up for what’s right.
Listen to the full interview here
