Laois Senator claims School Secretary/Caretaker dispute was entirely avoidable
Local Senator joins striking school secretaries and caretakers in Portlaoise
Senator Maria McCormack joined the Portlaoise strike earlier today in solidarity with school secretaries and caretakers
Senator Maria McCormack has joined striking school secretaries and caretakers in Portlaoise, as indefinite industrial action continues across the state.
Senator McCormack expressed her full support and solidarity with Fórsa members in Laois and nationwide, describing the strike as “entirely avoidable if Ministers Helen McEntee and Jack Chambers had engaged constructively with Fórsa at an earlier stage.”
She said:
“I was proud to stand with school secretaries and caretakers from across Laois today as they commenced strike action. These are the people who open the doors, keep the schools running, support students, and close up at the end of the day. Many have given decades of service, yet they continue to be treated as second-class employees within our education system.
While teachers, SNAs and principals are rightly entitled to sick leave, bereavement leave and pension supports, secretaries and caretakers are denied the same basic entitlements. This two-tier system is unfair and unsustainable.
Nobody wants to be on strike. Secretaries and caretakers are simply standing up for their rights and for the recognition they deserve. The government has had every opportunity to resolve this issue, but has chosen delay and disregard instead. It is time for Ministers McEntee and Chambers to engage constructively with Fórsa and bring this dispute to an end.”
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Fórsa has highlighted that over 2,600 school secretaries and caretakers are now on indefinite strike, demanding:
Pension parity and an end to the two-tier system.
A single, fair contract of employment for all school secretaries and caretakers.
Access to basic entitlements such as sick leave and bereavement leave.
The campaign has received widespread support, with more than 36,000 people signing a public pledge in solidarity, alongside strong backing from parents, school communities, and Oireachtas members.
Senator McCormack concluded:
“This strike will continue until a fair resolution is agreed. Schools simply cannot function without their secretaries and caretakers, and the government knows this. These workers are not asking for special treatment – just equal treatment. The time for empty words is over. The Ministers must act now to resolve this injustice and deliver fairness for the people who keep our schools running.”