“We Just Want What’s Fair” Local school secretaries set for strike over pension dispute

There’s mounting tension in local schools this week as secretaries and caretakers prepare to strike in a long-running battle for pension parity and public servant recognition and local voices are leading the call.

In Kells, Karen Ann Smyth, school secretary at Mercy Junior School, says the time for stalling is over.

“As a result of prior strike action we got pay parity. So we went on to the department payroll two years ago this September,” Karen explained.

That step was seen as a win at the time. But the fight, she says, is far from over.

“We’re all on a point-to-scale system now. But what wasn’t agreed back then was public servant status. That means no pension. No leave entitlements like bereavement or proper sick leave.”

Karen said that the issue isn’t just about money it’s about basic human rights in the workplace.

“If my husband died this evening, I’d have to try and take sick leave. I’m not entitled to any bereavement leave. If anything happened to one of my children, I’d be in the same position,” she said.

“A teacher or an SNA can apply for up to 20 school working days of leave. But for us? Nothing.”

The classification, she explains, is technically there ,secretaries are labelled as Grade 3 officers by the Department of Education and Department of Public Expenditure but the treatment doesn’t match.

“Grade 3 officers in other government departments have their pension rights. Their leave entitlements. We don’t,” Karen added.

Fórsa, the union representing around 1800 school secretaries and caretakers nationwide, says the Government has dragged its feet for too long and is now warning that industrial action is inevitable unless real progress is made.

And it’s not just secretaries, caretakers have also been left out in the cold.

“Caretakers were part of the original conversation. There wasn’t really a proper structure for them in Fórsa at the time, but that’s changed. The plan was for caretakers to go on the department payroll this September but now it’s been kicked down the street again.

“This strike is about making sure when they’re brought on board, everything is included. Pension, parity. Proper status. Recognition.”

Karen is also quick to knock back the idea that school secretaries are just there to answer the phone and type letters.

“Our school has 320 children, 40 staff, and then you’re dealing with parents, contractors, wages, accounts, banking, everything.

“We process the wages for the caretakers, bus escorts, and substitute teachers, all on behalf of the Department. And this week, a letter from the Department told schools to secure passwords and reassign duties like payroll and banking, in case we go on strike. So they know how essential we are.”

The pension argument, the core issue in the upcoming strike is not about demanding the impossible, Karen insists.

“Some people say, ‘How can you get a pension you never paid into?’ But we never had the opportunity. We were paid by Boards of Management who had no guidance, no structure. Some secretaries were below minimum wage. Others might’ve had access to a private pension but the school didn’t contribute to it.

“The Department of Finance handled a similar situation before. They worked out a notional contribution system , you got your pension entitlements but not the lump sum. There’s a mechanism. It’s not going to cost the State big. They’re giving €9 million for phone pouches, onboarding us for pension would cost less.”

Meanwhile, in Dunshaughlin, Teresa Cassidy has spent 27 years as school secretary at Gaelscoil na Ríthe and still has no public service pension. Speaking previously she said:

“Originally, all school secretaries were paid through a grant from the Department. It was up to each Board of Management how that money was used. Secretaries were on different rates, different hours it was a total mess,” Teresa said.

That changed after a lengthy campaign, and while being moved to the payroll was progress, the job isn’t done.

“Now we’re on a pay scale with public service increments — and that’s been fantastic for job security,” Teresa added.

“But pensions , that’s the issue now. We also want critical illness leave, proper sick leave, and bereavement leave things other school staff already get.”

Teresa says while there’s some political support, the real block is coming from the Department of Public Expenditure.

“The politicians seem to be on our side. But the Department of Public Expenditure is holding back. We just want to be recognised as public servants — the same as SNAs and teachers.”

And though nobody wants a strike, she says it may be the only option left.

“None of us want to be on strike that’s the last thing we want. But we’ve waited and waited. We’re hopeful it can be resolved before it gets that far, but we’re prepared if it doesn’t.”

As schools across the county prepare to reopen, the reality is clear: the office staff — the ones who greet parents, manage wages, field emergencies, chase paperwork, and handle banking are preparing to shut their doors in protest.

“The school office is the backbone of the school,” Karen Smyth said.

“We wouldn’t do it without the support of all the staff, in fairness. But whether you’re an SNA, principal, deputy, parent, or pupil — the secretary is your first port of call.

“We’re just asking for fair treatment. Nothing more.”

Strike action is due to begin on Monday, August 26th, just as schools across Meath and the rest of the country prepare to reopen for the new academic year.