Mr. Shane Lambert:

That is one of a number of examples, including washing cars, acting as car park attendant and doing gardening work. Dealing with that puts individual members in a very difficult position. They must first say "No" and they then find themselves in conflict with the employer. We tell them that is where we come in, that is why they pay their union subscriptions and we will represent them. In general, we will lodge a formal grievance or make representations to the employer but the damage to the employment relationship can sometimes be irreversible, particularly where a principal or manager takes the view that this presents a challenge to them. There is a feeling of "How dare this person who has only three D-grades in the junior certificate challenge me, someone who is professionally qualified?"

Do you find these issues are arising in bigger schools, or is there a mix right across the board?