After decades of lobbying politicians, writing letters, and gaining widespread support – with over 26,000 pledges of support from the public – 2,300 secretaries and 500 caretakers are striking to end the two-tier pay scale and win basic employment rights, which have been unfairly denied for too long.
Basic rights such as a state pension, access to sick pay and bereavement pay, and a single contract of employment are demands that could easily be provided, as they are for teachers and SNAs. Repeated broken promises from successive governments shows a complete lack of respect for the vital work that secretaries and caretakers do. It is high time that they are employed directly by the Department and enjoy the status and benefits of other public servants. They are part of the lifeblood of every school in the country, and this will be seen clearly over the next week.
The money is there
Minister for Education Helen McEntee’s condescending comments last week that: “I don’t want to see secretaries striking – secretaries I know don’t want to strike”, is an insult to workers who have been forced into this action due to being ignored for years. However, as the 98% vote for the action by the union members shows, they are resolute.
Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers also has direct responsibility. The estimated cost of access to the pension scheme is €30 million. The Government had a budget surplus of over €23.2 billion last year! There is no excuse when it comes to the funds available.
It is no accident that the disrespect being shown is towards a workforce composed mainly of women. The lack of investment and attention shown to traditionally feminised occupations has been seen with nurses and childcare workers also.
The Socialist Party and Ruth Coppinger TD send our unequivocal support to the secretaries and caretakers who are on strike. The industrial action overwhelmingly voted on should be a worrying sign for the Government. Workers are not going to accept that there is no money for us while talk is of billions being pumped into military spending.
Trade union support needed
Crucially, this industrial action should also be a wake-up call for trade unions. A victory could open up the prospect of action and success for other workers. All teacher unions have supported the strike, but this must be backed up with action. Teachers and SNAs should not pass the pickets at schools, and unions should back such vital displays of solidarity.
At a time when the Government is putting austerity back on the agenda, trade unions must make themselves relevant as determined, fighting organisations for workers. The disgraceful treatment of school secretaries and caretakers is the result of Government policy that consistently puts profit over the needs of the majority of ordinary working people – the people who make our society function. Trade unions must fight for an alternative politics that puts workers first.
Full solidarity with the school secretaries & caretakers on strike
