'It's a pity it has come to this'

The government must show respect for the "critical roles" that secretaries and caretakers perform at schools, principal of Gaelscoil Bhreifne said this morning as parents gathered in support of the ongoing strike.

Secretaries and caretakers across the state have vowed to remain on indefinite strike until they are awarded pension parity and the same holiday entitlements as teachers and SNAs. Dozens of parents took time out of their busy mornings to stand in solidarity with secretary Nicola Galligan and caretaker Gerry Reilly.

Staff at the Cavan Town school are already enduring the disruption of construction of a new extension, before the strike commenced, throwing into sharp relief the importance of secretaries and caretakers.

Príomhoide Niamh Ní Cheallaigh was trying to greet children and parents when she would normally be liaising with staff, planning for the day ahead.

The príomhoide said the “knock-on effect” was being felt by all the staff, describing the timing of the strike at the start of the school year as “horrendous”.

“The role of the secretary is critical to the running of the school,” said Niamh. “The first thing that people see every day is the school secretary, and she is so good at what she does. It's very hard for the rest of the staff to get on with the actual running of the school.

“We are lost without our caretaker Gerry here. He looks after the things no one sees behind the scenes - the bins, the heating is on the morning, the school is open, things are physically ready.”

Asked what should happen next, Niamh said: “Really and truly, they [Department] need to get round a table and talk and show a bit of respect and regard for the role they play - they have a critical role in schools.”

Among the parents showing support was Assumpta Scully who has two children attending the school.

“I think it's very important there's fairness all round. It's a completely unfair situation and I think they are being treated really badly. It shouldn't have gone on so long. Everyone is behind them so I don't really know what the hold up is.”

Sporting high viz vests and holding Fórsa signs declaring the official strike action, Nicola Galligan and Gerry Reilly were grateful for the parental support.

The caretaker for four years Gerry Reilly would normally be directing traffic through the busy carpark.

“It's fantastic, absolutely,” he said of the turn out. “It just goes to show the interest they have in the school, as well as having an interest in what we do here too.”

Told of the appreciation the staff and school community have for them, Gerry replied: “We do what we can, we keep the show going as best we can.”

Secretary Nicola echoed the Fórsa line that the strike would continue until their demands were met.

“We can't back down now – we'll stick to our guns until we get what we are entitled to.”

She was appreciative of how parents and staff have been so supportive and have asked what they can do.

“We are trying to put pressure on, so it's basically time to get vocal.

“We are trying to not be disrupt people as much as possible, school has to go on, and we want that to happen. Unfortunately we have to stand our ground. It's a pity it has come to this. It's the best month of the year to be in school when everyone is getting started, so we'd much rather be in work but we want parity with everyone else who is in the building with us - SNAs and teachers.”

Cllr Áine Smith has twin boys attending the Gaelscoil, and is a teacher in St Mogue's, Bawnboy. She “fully supports” the Fórsa strike.

“I'm a secondary school teacher myself and I know exactly the work that they do and I know a school can't run without them working in it. I think it's absolutely appalling that they are not getting what they should be getting.”

The Fianna Fáil councillor noted her uncle, Deputy Brendan Smith was making multiple representations through PQs to the Department of Education on behalf of the secretaries.

“I really hope that the Department of Education and Minister Helen McEntee actually engage and this is solved as soon as possible.”

Aisling Brady from Lakeview Afterschool daily collects children from the school and buses them down to their service based at nearby Drumalee GAA club. She describes Gerry and Nicola as the “main communication link” between Lakeview and the Gaelscoil.

“We greatly value their continued support and we hope they get what they deserve. Only for Nicola we wouldn't have a way of communicating because Niamh is too busy.”

As of yesterday it the Department of Education and Youth told the Celt they will continue to "actively engage" with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), saying they remain "focused on finding a resolution to this dispute".

“In recent years we have made progress in improving the terms and conditions of school secretaries. This has included secretaries’ pay being linked to any increases in pay under public sector agreements, improved annual leave entitlements, improved maternity provisions and paid sick leave in excess of the statutory requirement. Where a school employs a staff member as a secretary that staff member is not a public servant but an employee of the school, and responsibility for terms of employment rests with the school.”