School secretaries from all over the northwest staged a rally at the office of Education Minister Joe McHugh TD in Letterkenny on today (Sat).
The rally took place as union FÛrsa prepare to reveal the result of a nationwide ballot for industrial action in its campaign for fair pay and working conditions for school secretaries.
The ballot outcome will be announced on Monday, September 9th.
The union balloted its members over the summer after education department officials refused to discuss proposals to overcome a two-tier pay system that leaves most earning just Ä12,500 a year, with irregular, short-term contracts that force them to sign on during the summer holidays and other school breaks.
FÛrsa has mounted a campaign for pay justice for school secretaries, most of whom are very poorly paid and have irregular, short-term contracts.
This, according to FÛrsa, is because of antiquated and discriminatory employment status, foisted upon school secretaries in 1978, which gives a minority directly-employed public service status, while the majority are employed by school management boards, which determine their pay and conditions.
A number of speakers addressed the protest including FÛrsa President Ann Mc Gee. Minister Mc Hugh’s office was closed and the Minister, who was understood to be at another event in Letterkenny, didn’t meet with the protestors.
Seeking equal pay and rights at the protest in support of school secretaries outside Minister for Education Joe Mc Hugh’s office in Letterkenny on Saturday.
Ten years old Orla Hedigan supporting her mum at the Forsa protest in support of schoolm secretaries outside Minister for Education Joe Mc Hugh’s office in Letterkenny on Saturday. (Photos by Eoin Mc Garvey)
Supporting school secretaries at the Forsa protest outside Minister for Education Joe Mc Hugh’s office in Letterkenny on Saturday.
Councillor John O’Donnell, Kathleen Doherty, Anne Mc Gee, Forsa President and Barry Cunninghan, Forsa outside Minister for Education Joe Mc Hugh’s office in Letterkenny on Saturday in support of school secretaries.
Forsa President Ann Mc Gee addressing the protest in support of school secretaries outside Education Minister Joe Mv Hugh’s office in Letterkenny on Saturday.
Protestors outside Minister for Education Joe Mc Hugh’s office in Letterkenny on Saturday.
Barry Cunningham from Forsa addressing the protest supporting school secretaries outside Education Minister Joe Mc Hugh’s office in Letterkenny on Saturday.
Lynne O’Doherty and Jack Mc Monagle supporting the Forsa protest outside Education Minister Joe Mc Hugh’s office in Letterkenny on Saturday.
Kathleen Doherty addressing the Forsa protest supporting school secretaries outside Minister for Education Joe Mc Hugh’s office in Letterkenny on Saturday.
Protestors supporting school secretaries pictured outside the office of Minister for Education, Joe Mc Hugh TD in Letterkenny on Saturday.
Representatives from Forsa, public representatives, school secretaries and their families pictured at the Forsa protest outside Minister for Education, Joe Mc Hugh’s office in Letterkenny on Saturday.
Ann Mc Gee, Forsa President with Councillors Donal Coyle, Michael Mc Bride and John O’Donnell at the Forsa protest supporting school secretaries outside Minister or Education Joe Mc Hugh’s office in Letterkenny on Saturday.
Pat O’Donnell, Glenties supporting his wife, a school secretary, at the protest by the Forsa union outside Minister Joe Mc Hugh’s office in Letterkenny on Saturday.
Protesting in support of school secretaries outside Minister for Education Joe Mc Hugh’s office in Letterkenny on Saturday.
