Fórsa welcomes the decision by the Minister for Education and Skills to drop the demand that current industrial action by school secretaries be suspended before agreeing to participate in discussions with Fórsa under the auspices of the WRC about ending the two-tier pay system for school secretaries.
The union welcomes the opportunity to work to resolve the issues at the heart of this dispute. The current system is antiquated and unfit for purpose.
Fórsa wants to ensure school secretaries and caretakers are afforded the opportunity to work in a system that properly reflects their huge value to the school community.
Fórsa’s position that the action would not be stood down in advance of the WRC intervention reflects normal industrial relations practice and we are pleased that the Minister acknowledged the same in the debate this evening in the House.
Entering into these discussions is a vital first step to resolving this long standing issue.