Striking school secretaries decide to enter talks with Government

The trade union, Forsa, representing school secretaries and caretakers who have been striking, has agreed to withdraw the industrial action and enter talks with the Department of Education.

The industrial action, which impacted on schools right across Tipperary and elsewhere, began at the start of the school year last week.

Minister for Education Helen McEntee on Friday night said she welcomed Fórsa’s decision to “withdraw strike action and enter discussions” at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).

“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,” she said in a statement.

“We need to now create space for this negotiation to take place and for normality to return to our schools next week.”

The strike had gone on for more than a week prior to the decision announced to enter talks.

Striking school secretaries and caretakers picketed outside the Nenagh constituency office of North Tipperary Fianna Fáil TD  Ryan O’ Meara on Tuesday last.

The indefinite strike began at the start of the school year last week, and there is as yet no resolution in sight as the Government stands firm against the demands of the secretaries and caretakers.

An estimated 2,500 secretaries and caretakers were engaged in the action in pursuit of public service pensions and entitlements enjoyed by other school workers such as SNAs and teachers.

Local school staff demonstrating in Nenagh pointed out that Deputy O’ Meara is the Fianna Fáil Spokesman on Education, and urged that he work to fulfill their demands.

The strikers trade union Fórsa had said it was encouraged by support from schools and the public, but disappointed by a lack of engagement from the Government - that is until the breakthrough came on Friday last on the decision of both sides to enter talks.

Back in June, school secretaries and caretakers voted 98 per cent in favour of indefinite strike action, seeking pension parity with our school colleagues in the public service and parity with ETB secretary colleagues, carrying out identical roles, who are already considered public servants with full benefits and pensions.

Among those on the picket outside Deputy O’ Meara’s office was Gina Byrne, the Secretary in Birdhill National School. “The government have had the whole summer to act and come to the negotiating table, but have sat on their hands,” Ms Byrne told The Guardian.

“We love our jobs and nobody relishes the idea of a strike, or the inconvenience to parents and pupils, but government inaction has led us to this point,” said Ms Byrne.

School pickets commenced across Tipperary and nationwide last Monday. Ms Byrne picketed outside her school in Birdhill. “I received great support from the Principal and all the staff, as well as parents and neighbors of the school,” she said.

“Labour councillor Fiona Bonfield also dropped by in solidarity. We have massive support in the wider community and not one political voice has come out against our request for fairness and equality.”

Effects of the strike impacted on associated schools. INTO teacher colleagues and Fórsa SNA members were instructed not to carry out the work of a striking colleague. “The government statements keep declaring we play a ‘vital role’ in our schools and that we are the ‘backbone’. These are clearly hollow words, considering their lack of action and their presiding over what is a deteriorating situation in schools. This is what happens when you remove that backbone,” said Ms Byrne.

A picket also took place outside the offices of Independent TD Michael Lowry this week, a supporter of the current Government.