SLIGO – Schools across Sligo are facing significant disruption as an indefinite nationwide strike by school secretaries and caretakers gets underway. With an estimated 50 workers on strike in the county, fears are growing that some schools may be forced to close in the coming days.
The strike, which involves approximately 2,500 secretaries and caretakers nationwide, is a result of a long-running dispute over public service pensions and entitlements. Strikers are seeking the same benefits enjoyed by other school staff, such as Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) and teachers.
Speaking from the picket line, Lorraine Kilroy, a school secretary at St Brendan’s National School, Cartron, said the action would continue “for as long as it takes.” The impact of the strike is already being felt, with some special schools and classes directly affected after SNAs chose not to cross the picket line.
Union Calls for Government Engagement
Exploratory talks were held last week at the Workplace Relations Commission, but the union, Fórsa, stated that no concrete proposals were put forward to form a basis for negotiations.
Andy Pike, head of Education at Fórsa, expressed disappointment over the government’s lack of action. “Right now, there is no WRC process, no talks, and no effort on the Government side to resolve the situation,” he said. Pike urged the government to listen to its own TDs and the public, and to take immediate steps to resolve the dispute before it causes further disruption for children and families.
