Donegal secretaries in the Forsa union are taking part in strike action today (Fri) in their campaign for fair pay and working conditions.
The secretaries in dispute will take part in a series of short work stoppages at the start of the school day before commencing a work to rule.
The union balloted its members over the summer after education department officials refused to discuss proposals to overcome a two-tier pay system.
The system leaves some secretaries who are paid by school boards of management earning salaries as low as €12,500 a year.
Sinn Fein councillor, Gary Doherty said the school secretaries have his ‘full support’.
He said: “Unfortunately due to other commitments I couldn’t join the protests outside our schools this morning, but I am in full support of our school secretaries.
“Last year, I proposed a motion at Donegal County Council that the government should immediately recognise the worth of all the ancillary staff that work in our schools and treat them with the respect they deserve.
“Make our secretaries/caretakers/cleaners permanent staff and end the ridiculous practise of having these valuable staff members having no access to the normal benefits of employment and having to sign on during holiday periods.”
