More than 1,000 school secretaries and caretakers took their call for equal pensions to the Department of Public Expenditure today as they launched an indefinite strike.
The Fórsa trade union members are demanding access to the public service pension scheme, as well as entitlements such as critical illness leave and bereavement leave.
Their campaign covers 2,600 school staff who, despite being placed on the public payroll in 2022, remain excluded from the Single Public Service Pension Scheme.
Talks between Fórsa and the Department of Education at the Workplace Relations Commission broke down yesterday without agreement, prompting today’s escalation.
School secretaries won significant gains in 2022 following a long-running campaign that ended the practice of having to sign on to social welfare during the summer months.
They also secured access to sick pay and maternity leave.
However, the union says most staff are still not classified as public servants, leaving them without the same pension rights as colleagues.
The Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) has declared its full backing for the strike.
Its president, Padraig Curley, said secretaries and caretakers play “vital roles” in schools nationwide.
“School staff work together every day to provide inclusive and supportive environments for children and young people,” he said.
“It is shameful that the principle of equal treatment is being denied to school secretaries and caretakers who are highly valued members of our school communities.
“It is unacceptable that Government policy ensures a situation in schools where school secretaries and caretakers are deprived of a basic entitlement which is provided to the colleagues they work alongside.”
Fórsa has said pickets will be placed outside schools from next week, with no end date set until their demands are met.