Union ballots school secretaries on strike action over exclusion from pension scheme
More than 2,300 secretaries in Irish primary and secondary schools may go on indefinite strike over a pensions' dispute, a trade union has warned.
Fórsa said a ballot of its members is now under way as part of an ongoing campaign to secure access to the Single Public Service Pension Scheme for school secretaries across the country.
While the union was successful following a long-running dispute with the Department of Education in bringing an end to a two-tier pay system for school secretaries, this agreement did not include access to the public service pension scheme.
The ballot for indefinite strike action was said to reflect the level of frustration members feel about being excluded from the pension scheme, despite the regularisation of other arrangements two years ago.
Andy Pike, Fórsa's head of education, said the 2023 agreement successfully standardised pay and conditions to end years of disparity in pay, contracts and job security but left a 'significant gap in the effort to achieve full equality'.
'Fórsa has consistently argued that pension justice is an essential and inseparable part of the process of regularising school secretaries into Department of Education employment. Like every other grade overseen by the department, they must now be afforded the same pension entitlements as other public service workers.'
Mr Pike said that school secretaries are highly skilled, dedicated workers who play a central role in the daily operations of schools right around the country. He said to exclude them from key pension entitlements available to others 'undermines the progress already made'.
He urged the departments of education and public expenditure to re-engage with the union meaningfully on the matter.
'A fair and equitable resolution must be reached. School secretaries deserve to be treated in the same way as other public service workers under the department's remit,' Mr Pike added.
The ballot is set to conclude on June 11 after which indefinite strike action may follow. Speaking earlier this month, education minister Helen McEntee indicated that discussions were ongoing regarding this pension ask from unions.
'That is engagement that will have to happen as part of an overall engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform,' she said. 'They are an integral part of our schools and it is really important that we support them in every way we can.'
The Department of Education was contacted for comment.
Read More
Kevin Callinan: Working from home is a real political issue
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
44 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Mother of Pte Seán Rooney given permission to sue UN
The mother of Irish soldier Seán Rooney, who was killed in action in Lebanon three years ago, has been given permission by the High Court to sue the United Nations in the Irish courts. Private Rooney was killed while on UN duty when the armoured vehicle he was driving came under fire in December 2022. He was 24 years old when he died. His mother, Natasha Rooney, from Newtown Cunningham, Co Donegal, has begun legal proceedings against the Irish Defence Forces, the Minister for Defence, Ireland and the Attorney General over the death of her son. The High Court was told she also wanted to serve proceedings on the UN, which has its headquarters in New York. Mr Justice Paul Coffey accepted jurisdiction and granted permission to Ms Rooney's lawyers to issue a plenary summons against the United Nations and serve it on the UN based in New York. A copy of the personal injuries summons, which will set out the allegations against all parties, including the UN, will now be served on the United Nations, which will have 42 days to enter an appearance in the case.
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
John O'Shea reveals impact Caoimhin Kelleher's imminent move to Brentford will have on Ireland status
JOHN O'Shea insisted that Caomhín Kelleher's club future is no concern of his - as he has already shown what he can do for Ireland. Kelleher, 26, rejoined the Ireland squad for training this morning having been allowed leave the squad yesterday to undergo a medical at Brentford. 2 John O'Shea has been happy with Kelleher's performances for Ireland 2 Kelleher has been a consistent performer for Ireland despite a lack of club minutes He is O'Shea said it was not for him or the FAI to discuss Kelleher's club future. But he insisted that what the 22-times capped Cork man does next should have no bearing on his Ireland status as he has already proven his worth. O'Shea said: 'It's not an easy thing for him to do. Read more on Irish football "He's proven the quality that he has every time he's been asked to go in as the number one for Liverpool. 'The run of games that he's shown, that he's been able to show the consistency that he's shown when he's had a run, that they haven't missed Alisson when he has been injured. 'I think that's what the whole of Europe and the whole of the world has seen when Caoimhín has been in goal for Liverpool. 'Whatever happens, I'm sure we'll get the benefit of it.' Most read in Football Kelleher's return to the Ireland camp means boss Heimir Hallgrímsson has a full strength squad to choose from for Friday's friendly with Senegal at the Aviva Stadium. Paul Scholes says Man Utd must keep Rasmus Hojlund and reveals how to get the best out of him
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Surprise sets from big names expected at Glastonbury
Glastonbury Festival has confirmed its line-up for 2025, with a number of slots marked 'TBA' allowing room for surprise sets. Irish rap trio Kneecap have been confirmed to perform at the Somerset festival on the West Holts Stage on Saturday 28 June from 4pm to 5pm, despite calls from Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch and a number of other politicians to remove them. Kneecap were taken out of the line-up at Scotland's TRNSMT festival last week due to safety concerns by police, after member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged under the name Liam O'Hanna by the Metropolitan Police last month over the alleged display of a Hezbollah flag at a gig. The festival, which will run from 25 to 29 June, will see The 1975 headline the Pyramid Stage on Friday, Neil Young and his band The Chrome Hearts as the closing act on Saturday, and Olivia Rodrigo topping the bill on Sunday. Glastonbury's yet to be announced sets come on the Pyramid Stage between 4.55pm and 5.30pm on Friday and Woodsies between 11.30am and 12.15pm on the same day, with room for a number of surprise performances on The Park Stage on Saturday between 7.30pm and 10.30pm. An unknown band named Patchwork are due to perform on the Pyramid Stage on Saturday between 6pm and 7pm. The Worthy Farm festival has often seen well-known acts perform under different names, with one notable occasion in 2023 seeing the Foo Fighters perform under the name the ChurnUps. Rod Stewart will reunite with Faces guitarist Ronnie Wood to perform in the Sunday legends slot between 3.45pm and 5.15pm. Other notable sets include Brat star Charli XCX, who will headline the Other Stage between 10.30pm and 11.45pm on Saturday, while rising rapper Doechii will headline the West Holts Stage between 10.15pm and 11.45pm on the same day. Indie rockers Wolf Alice will continue their return, ahead of their first album in four years, The Clearing, on the Other Stage on Sunday, between 7.45pm and 8.45pm, while the recently reunited Scissor Sisters will perform at Woodsies between 10.30pm and 11.45pm on Saturday. Folk singer Roy Harper, who performed at the first edition of Glastonbury in 1970, will perform on the Acoustic Stage on Sunday between 9.30pm and 10.30pm, as he continues his final tour. Glastonbury will have two opening ceremonies on Wednesday, which will feature a theatre and circus show including high wire walkers and acrobats in the Pyramid field, followed by a fireworks display at 10.45pm, while a 1,000-voice choir will unite around the Flame Of Hope. The festival has confirmed its line-up app will launch on Thursday allowing festival goers to plan their personal schedule. The BBC has announced it will cover more than 100 sets at the festival on TV, radio, iPlayer and BBC Sounds.
