School secretaries and caretakers agree to withdraw strike for negotiations
By Cillian Sherlock, PA
A trade union representing school secretaries and caretakers will withdraw strike action and enter into negotiations with the Department of Education.
Education Minister Helen McEntee described the development as “breakthrough” following a “week of intense engagement” between her department and the Forsa union.
The union had recently said there was a lack of trust between workers and the department over re-entering talks to resolve a dispute over conditions.
The striking workers are campaigning for 2,600 school staff to be included in the public service pension scheme and other entitlements.
The industrial action began as thousands of schools prepared for the start of the new academic year.
On Friday, Forsa said agreement has been reached at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) designed to bring the current strike to an end.
It said action will be withdrawn to allow the implementation of the agreement.
The union said the key element of the agreement is a Government commitment to negotiate comparable pension entitlements for school secretaries and caretakers.
Forsa said this represents the first time the State has formally accepted the principle that “these essential staff should not be excluded from pension entitlements comparable” to those available to teachers and special needs assistants (SNAs).
In addition, the union said the agreement provides for structured discussions on other parts of the union’s claim.
This includes the conclusion of a pay framework agreement for caretakers, access to bereavement leave, access to sick leave and acute illness protocols, and the full implementation of payroll arrangements.
Forsa’s head of education, Andy Pike, said: “Tonight’s agreement at the WRC is a major step forward for school secretaries and caretakers.
He added: “This agreement reflects the determination of school secretaries and caretakers, who have stood together over the past week in pursuit of fairness and equal treatment. It is now the responsibility of the State to honour this agreement and deliver on its commitments.”
In a statement on Friday, Ms McEntee said: “I very much welcome Forsa’s agreement to withdraw strike action and enter discussions in the WRC with my department.
“I have seen around the country the impact of strike action on school communities and want to acknowledge their resilience throughout to keep schools open for children and young people.
“We all have a responsibility now to make sure that these talks succeed so that secretaries and caretakers can resume their place at the heart of our schools.
“Both sides must come together with an open mind and good faith without preconditions or pre-conceived ideas of a final outcome.
“I have great confidence in the WRC in their role as expert facilitators.
“We need to now create space for this negotiation to take place and for normality to return to our schools next week.”
Earlier in the week, Fianna Fail backbenchers criticised Ms McEntee’s handling of the issue.
Malcolm Byrne, a TD for Wicklow–Wexford, told reporters: “There is a need for a much more hands-on approach from Helen McEntee to try to resolve that dispute.”
At the same time, Ms McEntee’s party colleague and super junior minister, Hildegarde Naughton, expressed support for caretakers and secretaries.
Speaking before Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, she told reporters that the Government needs “to tackle” the issue.
Ms Naughton, a former teacher, added: “I can’t understand why school secretaries and caretakers are not treated like other staff members within the school setting.
“They play an absolutely pivotal role. We can see that when they’re not now present in schools across the country.
“So I certainly would like the message to go out to them that this is something that has to be addressed by Government”.
