The ballot on the Special Needs Assistants Workforce Development Plan (SNAWDP) closed today (Wednesday), with members voting decisively against the proposal.
The ballot turnout was just over 60%, with 60.1% voting against the plan and 39.3% voting in favour. Fórsa said the outcome represents a clear rejection of the Government’s proposed plan.
The SNA Workforce Development Plan was developed over two and a half years by the Department of Education, in consultation with stakeholders including Fórsa. It comprised a new circular on the role of the SNA, a revised contract template, and a redeployment circular.
Commenting on the result, Fórsa’s head of Education Andy Pike said the outcome reflected the strength of feeling among members: “This clear and decisive outcome demonstrates that SNAs do not have confidence in the SNAWDP.
“The ballot sought members’ views on the range of new measures contained within the plan. Prior to the ballot opening, we undertook an extensive consultation process with members, including 20 face-to-face meetings across the country, as well as online meetings attended by thousands of members.
“The views of SNAs were expressed very clearly throughout that process and in the ballot result, and their verdict is that the plan is deficient in a number of key areas,” he said.
Concern
Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan said the union would now consider the outcome carefully and proceed on a collective basis: “This has been a detailed and wide-ranging consultation process, with strong levels of engagement from SNA members across the country. The scale of participation and the clarity of the outcome must be respected.
“While the result does not provide the basis for moving forward with the plan in its current form, it clearly highlights the issues of concern to members.
“Fórsa will now assess the outcome in detail and determine the appropriate next steps. The union will continue to represent SNA members’ interests in a structured and strategic way. That work will continue on behalf of members across the education sector and the wider public service,” he said.
Fórsa’s Education Divisional Executive Committee (DEC) will meet next Wednesday (8th July) to consider the outcome of the ballot and determine next steps.
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