Longstanding disputes over time related issues in a Clondalkin school were eventually settled when Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) united and determined a firm course of action to resolve them. The issues which had been ongoing for several years featured concerns over starting and finishing times, and inappropriate use of 72 hours.

Fórsa wrote to the management of the school on 31st January to raise the issues. Unfortunately, management did not respond. After follow up engagement between Fórsa’s Diarmaid Mac a Bhaird and members on the ground, it was decided that a ballot on industrial action would be necessary due to the repeated breaches of contractual agreements and the lack of engagement from management. 

Approval for the ballot was sought and granted by the union’s Education Divisional Executive Committee (DEC), leading to a unanimous decision among the members to proceed with industrial action in the form of a work-to-rule. The ballot solidified the SNAs' determination to seek resolution to their concerns.

In response to the escalating situation, management reluctantly agreed to a local meeting, which took place on 11th April. Representatives from both sides engaged in constructive dialogue, leading to proposals that addressed the various issues raised by the SNAs, and averted the work to rule commencing. These proposals were subsequently accepted by the SNAs.

The before and after periods, originally set at 20 and 24 minutes respectively for full-time SNAs, have been shortened to 10 minutes each. This adjustment recognises that these periods are specifically for arrival and dispersal tasks. The start time for junior day (0.83) SNA post holder remained at 8:50am, aligned with the morning bell, while the finish time has been adjusted to 1:30pm instead of the previous 2:10pm.

Management also acknowledged the importance of strictly adhering to the provisions outlined in a Department of Education circular ensuring that tasks and duties assigned to SNAs are related to special educational needs (SEN) and appropriate to the role.

“This clarification is crucial,” explained Diarmaid Mac a Bhaird. “Previous practices deviated significantly from the provisions of the circular, with SNAs being allocated tasks under 72 hours which were not related to special educational needs (SEN) and were not appropriate for their role.”

72 hours is a bank of hours, outside of an SNAs regular working hours, for tasks that are SEN related and appropriate to the grade of SNA. However, these are often misused by management in schools. Other tasks which are inappropriate to the role, not SEN related and displacement of work belonging to others, such as school secretaries or cleaners, are regularly imposed on SNAs under 72 hours.

Discussions on the 72 hours provision are currently ongoing between Fórsa the Department of Education, as part of a wider review of the nationally agreed SNA contract.

Fórsa assistant general secretary Shane Lambert pointed to this case as an example of the benefits of members taking action and coming together at grassroots level, combined with persistent follow up from Diarmaid.

“The SNAs in this school were able to bring attention to their grievances and ultimately secure positive outcomes for themselves, with support of union staff. This case serves as an example of members working together to pinpoint their issues, decide on a course of strategic collective action and ultimately win,” he said.

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