Strike action by school secretaries and caretakers suspended for fresh WRC talks

School secretaries and caretakers striking in Ballincollig, Cork 

Strike action that had put "enormous strain" on the running of schools was suspended of Friday night after a breakthrough in the standoff between the trade union Fórsa and the Department of Education.

Minister for Education Helen McEntee confirmed a paused had been agreed in the ongoing strike action, which had seen secretaries and caretakers on the picket line for more than a week.

In a statement, Ms McEntee said Fórsa has agreed to enter fresh talks at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) with the Department.

“I very much welcome Fórsa’s agreement to suspend strike action and enter discussions in the WRC with my Department.

“I have seen around the country the impact of strike action on school communities and want to acknowledge their resilience throughout to keep schools open for children and young people," Ms McEntee said.

“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.

“Both sides must come together with an open mind and good faith without preconditions or pre-conceived ideas of a final outcome.

“I have great confidence in the WRC in their role as expert facilitators.

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

Fórsa’s head of education, Andy Pike, said: “Tonight’s agreement at the WRC is a major step forward for school secretaries and caretakers. 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.”

Earlier, school principals spoke of the “enormous strain” to keep schools safe during the strike action.

The Irish Primary Principals Network chief executive Páiric Clerkin said: “School leaders are under ferocious pressure, and the situation is unsustainable.

“It is proving extremely challenging for boards of management to keep schools open and safe.”

The Joint Managerial Body and the Association of Community and Comprehensive Schools (ACCS) — two management bodies in the wider sector — called on the Government to intervene.

ACCS president Mary Jackson said: “Boards of management, principals and deputy principals are working tirelessly to ensure that schools remain open, conditions in school buildings and on school sites remain safe, and that students and staff are supported, but the strain is becoming unsustainable.”

Protestors had earlier gathered outside the constituency offices of ministers, including the Taoiseach, calling on the Government to take action.

School secretaries and caretakers began an indefinite strike on August 28 as pupils returned to school after the summer break. They are seeking staff to be included in the public service pension scheme and other entitlements.