The campaign for pension parity in schools continues to grow in strength. Fórsa’s school secretaries and caretakers’ branches have been building public awareness of their campaign over the past two weeks by distributing thousands of badges and stickers to supporters in their communities. 

Chair of the school secretaries branch Luisa Carty said: “Parents, teachers, family and friends all play a powerful part in telling government that there is no reason to discriminate between school staff, everyone who works in a school plays a part in a child’s education.” 

Signatures of the campaign pledge continue to build with over 23,000 pledges of support made.

At the Education Divisional conference in Galway on Thursday 24th April, Minister Helen McEntee committed to doing “everything she can” to support pension parity in schools, while delegates passed a motion calling for a ballot on industrial action. 

Chair of the school caretakers branch David Hearne said: “In the workplace the government talk about equality. But there is no equality in schools.

Because one side of school staff get pensions and others don’t. It was huge to get our motion at conference passed calling for a ballot on industrial action. The whole room supported us.”  

Thousands of pictures of supporters wearing the campaign badge have been shared, demonstrating just how much support is out there. 

Head of the union’s Education division Andy Pike said: “It has been fantastic to see the school communities rallying together with our secretary and caretaker members in all the pictures, supporting them in their right to access fair pensions and equality in terms of sick, bereavement and critical illness leave. It really shows the level of comradery in schools and amongst colleagues who are members of Fórsa and the teachers’ unions. This is what the union movement is about and demonstrates unequivocally that an 'injury to one is an injury to all'". 

Assistant general secretary Shane Lambert said: “It is important that we finish badge week on a high, with a flurry of pictures from all over the country, so please keep the momentum going. Please continue to get colleagues involved and continue to post and tag your pictures on social media.  

Shane continued: “The effect it has had is evident in the fact that there has been great coverage and keen interest from political circles, so the message is being heard.  We just need to keep repeating it in our actions. Keep posting and keep sharing, keep growing the support and gathering signatures for the pledge.” 

“The next stage of the campaign will now begin. As we prepare for a ballot of members, we will hold another round of in-person information meetings.  There will be 15 meetings in various locations nationally so be sure to keep an eye on email for further details.  It is hugely important that there is significant attendance at these meetings.  High participation shows our strength and demonstrates the commitment you and your colleagues have to this cause.” 

Sign and share the pledge.