Nolan welcomes suspension of school secretaries and caretakers strike

Independent TD for Offaly Carol Nolan has welcomed the suspension of strike action by school secretaries and caretakers, describing the move as “an unnecessarily belated recognition by Government of the strong case being forward by vital members of the school community.”

Deputy Nolan was on the picket line with a number of schools in the Offaly constituency last week prior to an agreement being reached over the weekend at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) to negotiate comparable pension entitlements as well as access to bereavement leave and sick leave.

“I was honoured and privileged to stand with our secretaries and caretakers last week. It was clear to me that they were in it for the long haul. Indeed, they very correctly took the view that they could no longer tolerate being treated as second class citizens with respect to the work they do.

“The Government have now seen the depth of commitment there is from schools and the widespread public support that was so evident during the week. It’s just such a pity it took Government so long to arrive at this commonsense decision.

“Hopefully now the Government will honour its commitment in full and not try to engage in any kind of rearguard action that will inevitably undermine the entire process.

“As always, my full support remains with the school staff and I will continue to keep the pressure on Government to deliver on access to the entitlements that were at the heart of this dispute,” Deputy Nolan said.