Exploratory talks between the Department of Education and the F\u00f3rsa trade union are to be held on Wednesday in advance of a planned indefinite strike by school secretaries and caretakers across the country.<\/p>\n
It comes as teachers and principals in support of the strike by the \u201cvital\u201d workers have warned that schools could close if progress is not made.<\/p>\n
More than 2,300 school secretaries at primary and secondary schools are to begin an indefinite strike on Thursday, alongside some 500 caretakers, due to their exclusion from the public service pension scheme.<\/p>\n
About 2,000 schools nationwide will be affected by the action, which received a 98 per cent backing from union members.<\/p>\n
The department told school managers last week that every school is expected to open as usual, despite the disruption. However, this has been disputed by those involved and by unions and associations representing teachers and principals.<\/p>\n
Kieran Christie, general secretary of the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland (ASTI), said that while the \u201cregrettable\u201d strike will bring about significant disruption, the union is supportive of the action and sees the \u201cvalidity and justice\u201d in their case.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an enormous injustice that has been dealt to a vital segment of the school community. We think they have a just case, and we\u2019re supportive of that, understanding, obviously, it will be disruptive to school communities,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The ASTI has directed members, including principals and deputy principals, not to take on the tasks of secretaries or caretakers taking action.<\/p>\n
Mr Christie said some schools may close due to the strike action, reflecting the \u201cvital\u201d work of secretaries and caretakers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn many ways, schools cannot run without them. These are vital roles, and these people are underpaid. The fact they\u2019re denied access to the Single Public Service Pension Scheme <\/a>is a disgrace, quite frankly.<\/p>\n \u201cThe division between these workers and other workers within schools, in terms of access to the scheme, has been a disgrace, is a disgrace, and mustn\u2019t be allowed to continue,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n However, Paul Crone, the director of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD), fears principals will do \u201ceverything they can to keep the schools open\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cBut at what cost to them?\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re at the start of the school year and we\u2019re potentially going to have our school leaders burnt out before the end of August or September.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite increased pressure on principals during the action, the NAPD is \u201cvery supportive\u201d of caretakers and secretaries and their claims, he said.<\/p>\n \u201cCaretakers and secretaries are essential supports that principals and deputies need to run the school. When they\u2019re out, it makes the job of principal virtually impossible,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt adds to their already overburdened workload and causes huge stress and pressure on already overworked school leaders,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Without secretaries and caretakers, who open and close schools, they simply \u201cdon\u2019t operate\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n