Secretaries 'happy' to be back
Relief was felt by secretaries and their schools last Friday evening after an agreement was reached at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) to suspend strike action pending talks.
Union Fórsa confirmed the news at the weekend. While grateful to be back, secretaries faced an increased work load having been on strike the week schools returned after the summer holidays.
The Government has commited to negotiate comparable pension entitlements for school secretaries and caretakers. Fórsa said the breakthrough 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 SNAs.
In addition, 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 (as agreed in the 2022 WRC process), access to bereavement leave, access to sick leave and acute illness protocols, and the full implementation of payroll arrangements.
“I’m happy with the progress that has been made. To get it this far, that everything is on the table and they are willing to discuss what we’re looking for, is a major thing. I am happy,” said Bernie Geraghty, secretary at Killygarry National School.
“I’m hoping that we can take that as a positive that the outcome will be reasonably good for us.”
Bernie was “warmly welcomed” back to Killygarry NS by the rest of her colleagues. She has been working in the school for the past 18 years and explained how a new Special Needs Assistant (SNA) and a new teacher joined the school this year who both have “everything the minute they walk in”.
“Their union fought hard for those rights for them so now it’s our turn and our union is definitely fighting hard. They’re earning their fees.”
Bernie is “delighted” to be back at work; while the school community is just as relieved.
“It was brilliant to be back at work today, we’re a week behind at this stage and it just felt like going back on the first day after summer holidays.
“Everybody was so delighted to have me back in the office, especially the principal she has been under a lot of pressure for the last week and trying to support me and not do my work, it has made life very difficult for her.”
Bernie extended her thanks to all those who had supported her and the other secretaries and caretakers.
“We were at multiple schools over the last week, picketing outside doors and putting things outside doors. That’s unusual and hard to deal with for staff, management and kids, but we were welcomed everywhere.
“The support we’ve had has just been incredible and we couldn’t have done it without that support.”
Fórsa’s Head of Education Andy Pike stated: “The commitment to negotiate comparable pension entitlements is a significant advance, and one that our members have fought hard to achieve. Alongside progress on sick pay, leave, and payroll arrangements, it provides a fair basis for our members to return to their schools and communities.
“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.”
The talks are due to begin tomorrow (Wednesday) at the WRC.