Pauline Tully (Sinn Fein)

The trade union Fórsa represents over 2,300 school secretaries and approximately 500 caretakers. It recently held a ballot, which closed at 12 noon yesterday, on whether to take indefinite strike action. Some 81% of the members took part in that ballot, 98% of whom voted in favour of indefinite strike action. It was practically unanimous. That is due to start on 28 August to coincide with the start of the new school year.This matter relates to pension provision under the single public service pension scheme, which is being denied to them, even though standardisation of pay was granted to school secretaries in 2023 and will be granted to school caretakers later this year. I taught in a school for many years and know the work that secretaries and caretakers do in schools. Schools would not function without them. Many schools are not going to open in August if this strike goes ahead because teachers and SNAs will not cross the picket line. Even if they do, the schools will not function without secretaries and caretakers. I ask that the Minister for education and, more importantly, the Minister for public expenditure, resolve this dispute. They have over two months to do so before the strike goes ahead. I urge them to resolve the issues and engage with Fórsa to get a resolution as quickly as possible.