Local TD Calls For Immediate Mediation To End School Secretary/Caretaker Strike

Wicklow-Wexford Sinn Féin TD, Fionntán O’Suilleabháin calls out Government inaction as thousands of school secretaries and caretakers continue their protest for pension justice

A local TD has criticised what he views as government inaction amid the ongoing school secretary and caretaker strike.

They will continue their strike action for a third day today. Forsa says it's due to the failure of the Government to engage over the weekend in the dispute over pensions.

The union says there is no Workplace Relations Commission process and no talks.

Fórsa represents more than 2,800 school secretaries and caretakers nationwide. The decision to take strike action was backed by 98% of school secretary and caretaker members in a ballot.

Wicklow-Wexford TD, Sinn Féin's Fionntain O'Suilleabhain 

Wicklow-Wexford Sinn Fein TD Fionntáin O Suilleabhain says mediation is now needed to bring about an end to the action:

"Over the last two days thousands of school secretaries and caretakers have taken strike action and mobilised in large numbers to demand pension parity, sick leave, bereavement leave -basic rights, and having spent 34 years working with great secretaries and caretakers. I am delighted to stand with these staff on the picket lines today.

"From today (Monday), the dispute will escalate with pickets at schools across Wicklow and Wexford with the potential for widespread disruption.

''The failure of the government to try and deal with this issue is reckless in the extreme.  

''It is time to get the Labour Court to intervene in this dispute and call parties to a hearing."