Digital mobilisation tactics are delivering dividends as pledges of support flood in nationwide for the Fórsa Education division’s reinvigorated pension parity campaign. Far from being just another petition, the pledge gathering is an exercise in mapping out what allies can lend support as the battle against discrimination steps up a gear. 

The campaign seeks to correct the long-standing injustice faced by school caretakers and secretaries, who, despite being paid by the Department of Education, like their SNA and teacher colleagues, are denied basic pension rights. The campaign is rallying to secure fair entitlements for all school staff. 

Luisa Carty, chair of the school secretaries branch, welcomed the surge in support. 

“Since Thursday evening, when the pledge was emailed to all 3,986 schools across Ireland, we’ve seen a huge boost in support. 543 school principals have signed, marking an increase of 300 in just a few days. We’re snowed under with an avalanche of allies!” 

“Next, we’re following up with hard-copy letters going out in the post this week. We’re asking members and supporters in schools to keep an eye out for these and help spread the word.” 

“Over 600 parents’ associations and boards of management have also signed on, and while that’s a solid start, there’s plenty more work to do. We’re writing to all politicians too and we’ve submitted parliamentary questions to the relevant Ministers.” 

Carty emphasised the importance of grassroots action, urging members to step up and get stuck in. 

“It’s an old cliché, but a good one—the word ‘union’ begins with ‘you.’ No one is going to hand you your pension: we have to go out there and make it happen.” 

David Hearne, chair of the school caretakers branch says he’s seen the spirit of his colleagues lifted by the surge in support. 

“Look, we felt like forgotten soldiers. This is more than just a protest petition—it’s a recognition of our labour by the wider school community. You have no idea how undervalued we feel. The pen-pushers in the Department aren’t on the ground dealing with the consequences of budget cuts made on spreadsheets—but we are. We’re the ones fixing the problems, yet we’re looked down upon and denied a basic pension by the suits in Dublin. First in, last out. That’s us, and it’s time we got respect.” 

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