Strike action is continuing across the country from school caretakers and secretaries as they seek parity with colleagues in the sector in relation to pensions and leave entitlements.

Approximately 2,500 caretakers and secretaries are taking part in the strike as they look for equality with teachers and special needs assistants.

School secretary for Cappoquin Primary School, Mary Casey says she has felt the support from the public.

“I think the public have been very supportive and especially the staff in the school. The principal, teachers, SNAs and parents have been very supportive to me on the line. And I think they know what we’re fighting for as well.”

“What we’re fighting for is so important to have, especially bereavement leave, sick leave, critical illness leave. It’s just shocking that we don’t have those leaves which should be in any employment. Every employee should have those benefits.”

Speaking to WLR, the West Waterford employee stated that all caretakers and secretaries are looking for is fairness.

“All other school staff have a pension and sick leave, critical illness leave and bereavement leave. And we have nothing. We just get a bunch of flowers or a bottle of wine when we retire. And I just think it’s a shame that we’ll be leaving with nothing.”

Ms Casey believes that schools across the country are struggling without the support of caretakers and secretaries right now.

“We do all the school accounts, payroll, liaising with the Department of Education, psychologists, TUSLA, parents. We look after the children. We’re nurses as well. We just do absolutely everything in the school. So the schools are struggling at the moment. There’s nobody to answer the phone, nobody to respond to emails. Wages will not be paid. And it’s going to get worse.”

The school secretary at Bunscoil Gleann Sidheáin believes the Department of Education and the Work Relations Commitee doesn’t care about those in caretaker and secretary roles.

“They don’t really care about us. And that’s why they’re not negotiating at the moment, because they think this will just die down and we’ll just return to our offices towards the end of this week. But Fórsa said that’s not going to happen. It’s an indefinite strike.”

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