School caretaker slams wages and conditions ahead of strike

A SCHOOL caretaker said he is worried about his future as he can't afford to pay into a private pension with just €40 of discretionary income every week.

- BY CIARA O'LOUGHLIN

Classes will be disrupted as an indefinite strike is set to begin on the first day of term next Thursday.

Caretakers and secretaries are calling for public service pensions and entitlements as they believe they are being treated unfairly in comparison to teachers and SNAs.

In 2023, secretaries were brought onto the centralised public payroll, which delivered substantial pay improvements. But they are excluded from the public service pension pay and aren't entitled to occupational sick pay or bereavement leave.

Caretakers were promised a comparable pay deal but are still waiting. They are paid from the school's Ancillary Services Grant. Waterford school caretaker David Hearne said the average rate for the role is €13 to €13.50 an hour.