School secretaries earn less than minimum wage, claims union

A NUMBER of school secretaries across the country are earning less than the minimum wage — as low as €6 per hour, it was claimed yesterday.

IMPACT trade union, which represents school secretaries, will today meet with the Department of Education as well as representatives of school boards of management to discuss the low pay of school secretaries in voluntary school sectors.

According to Johnny Fox of IMPACT, there are secretaries paid directly by the State under a 1978 scheme and those people have earnings starting at €12.84. They are entitled to pension payments, sick leave — the terms and conditions applicable to a clerical grade in the civil service.