School staff forced to take strike action

SCHOOL secretaries and care- takers have begun indefinite strike action.

- BY GRAINNE NI AODHA

They are campaigning for 2,600 school staff to be included in the public service pension scheme and other entitlements.

The industrial action began as thousands of schools prepare for the start of the new academic year.

Engagement between the Forsa union and the Department of Education at the Workplace Relations Commission concluded without any outcome on Wednesday.

After a union-led campaign several years ago, secretaries in most schools were put on the public payroll in 2022.

It meant they no longer had to sign on to social welfare during the summer holidays and became entitled to sick pay and maternity leave.