Sinn Féin Councillor Conor D. McGuinness has welcomed cross party support for a motion of support for school secretaries who are currently engaged in an industrial dispute for fairness when it comes to pay and conditions.
McGuinness said:
“School Secretaries play pivotal roles in our school communities. The country’s 3,500 School Secretaries are the first — and frequently — key point of contact between schools and parent. Secretaries are also the point of contact between the school and the Department of Education & Skills.
“However, despite their pivotal roles in the school community, most School Secretaries are poorly paid, with uncertain short-term contracts which force many of them to sign on during the summer holidays.
“Last month I stood with school secretaries at St. Joseph’s National School in Dungarvan and at Scoil Náisiúnta na Rinne, as they took industrial action. It’s time that these vital workers in our education system are properly valued, and get just pay and conditions that are appropriate for the key roles they play in our children’s education.
“The campaign for fair pay and continue over the coming months, with more industrial action on the horizon. Fórsa trade union have launched a petition in support of the school secretaries campaign and all are encouraged to sign it at www.forsa.ie”
That Waterford City and County Council:
* registers its support for the Fórsa Support Our Secretaries campaign;
* sends a message of solidarity and support to school secretaries engaged in industrial action for fair pay and conditions in work via their union Fórsa; and
* writes to Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh TD to outline our suppor for the Fórsa campaign, and to request that Government treat school secretaries with fairness and respect when it comes to pay and conditions.
Cllr. Conor D. McGuinness 