A long running dispute involving school secretaries has ended following the acceptance of a new pay and working conditions deal by members of the Forsa trade union.
The new deal was approved by 95% of those taking part in a ballot.
Education Minister Norma Foley and Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath have welcomed the decision.
Under the terms of this new agreement, school secretaries’ pay rates will move to a scale which is aligned with the Clerical Officer Grade III pay scale on a pro-rata basis according to a secretary’s current working pattern.
These pay increases will be backdated to September 1st 2021, while the terms and conditions will also cater for lower-paid but longer serving secretaries to be placed higher up the scale.
A new contract will give the option to secretaries that they no longer need to apply to the Department of Social Protection for payment of benefits when they are not working due to school holidays.
Proposals have also been made in relation to issues surrounding annual leave, maternity benefit and sick pay while an allocation of 22 days annual leave (on a pro-rata basis according to a secretary’s current working pattern) is also proposed.
