Fórsa is urging caretakers and other education workers to get active, engaged and involved as discussions with the Department of Education and the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) loom.

Last week the inaugural annual general meeting for caretakers saw a formal branch executive committee established, elected by members, to represent caretakers in these discussions.

There is significant scope to increase the members density of caretakers which would strengthen the hand of the union as talks progress.

Whilst there is an agreement in principle on issues for caretakers, and a clear framework that the union will follow, there are items that will require further discussion with the Department.

Fórsa official Shane Lambert called on all education members to ensure that caretakers in their employments are aware of the recent developments, and to highlight the benefit of being part of the union during these talks.

“There is significant scope to increase the membership of caretakers in our schools and we need to maximise the amount of strength we have in advance of these discussions,” he said.

“We are asking our members, SNAs, secretaries and caretakers to talk to other workers about these discussions. If there is a caretaker in your school who is not a member of the union, illustrate to them the advantages of being part of the union. The more Caretakers we have, the stronger case we can put forward to both the Department of Education and WRC,” said Shane.