Fórsa members working as special needs assistants (SNAs) have voted decisively to reject the proposed SNA Workforce Development Plan. Elected representatives of the Education division will meet next week to discuss next steps. 

 
The national ballot closed on Wednesday 1st July, with just over 60% of members participating. The result was 60.1% against the plan and 39.3% in favour, representing a clear rejection of the Government’s proposal.
 
The plan was developed over two and a half years by the Department of Education, in consultation with stakeholders including Fórsa. It included a new circular on the role of the SNA, a revised contract template, and a redeployment circular. 

Fórsa will now assess the ballot outcome in detail and determine the appropriate next steps. The union’s elected Education Divisional Executive Committee will meet on Wednesday 8th July to consider the result. 
 
Fórsa’s head of Education Andy Pike said the result reflected the strength of feeling among SNA members. He said the ballot outcome showed that SNAs do not have confidence in the plan as currently proposed. 
 
“The ballot sought members’ views on the range of new measures contained within the plan. Prior to the ballot opening, we undertook an extensive consultation process with members, including 20 face-to-face meetings across the country, as well as online meetings attended by thousands of members. 
 
“The views of SNAs were expressed very clearly throughout that process and in the ballot result, and their verdict is that the plan is deficient in a number of key areas,” he said. 
 
Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan said the strong level of engagement and the clarity of the outcome must be respected: “The result does not provide a basis for moving forward with the plan in its current form, but clearly identifies the issues of concern to members. Fórsa will continue to represent SNA members’ interests in a structured and strategic way, across the education sector and the wider public service,” he said. 

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa.