Just weeks after school communities around the country rallied for Special Needs Assistant (SNA) Day, an issue has emerged that further signals the unequal treatment these workers face when weighed up against other education colleagues. 
 
Fórsa has lodged a claim requesting that SNAs elected as county or city councillors receive paid leave on terms no less favourable than those of teachers and other education staff working within the Department, allowing them to fulfil their council duties and attend meetings.  
 
In response, the Department of Education has offered SNAs 10 days of unpaid leave with substitution, contrasting with teachers, who receive 10 days of paid leave without a substitute. The Department justifies this disparity by citing the national agreements' provision against cost-increasing claims. 
 
“We know SNAs are the backbone of our schools, and they play essential roles in classrooms – however it should not automatically mean that they should be financially disadvantaged when fulfilling civic responsibilities.

In a response to the Department, Fórsa pointed out that the discrepancy between paid leave for teachers and unpaid leave for SNAs is not only inequitable but could also be seen as obstructing the democratic process,” said Shane Lambert of Fórsa’s education division.  
 
The union stated that the offer was unsatisfactory and could be perceived as an attack or obstruction of the political process, as it places obstacles in the way of democratically elected members performing their duty.    
 
“We stated that we would not be accepting the creation of such a disparity which was simply unjust and unfair, in particular when we are fighting to eliminate these types of disparities in general. Whilst it further highlights the pivotal role that SNAs hold in our classrooms, as they must be substituted when not present, it is not reasonable for SNAs, and the pupils they work with, to suffer to their detriment on foot of the lack of capacity within the system to accommodate such absences, which will be few and far between, the Department can and must  put provisions in place to ensure this does not happen.” said Shane Lambert.  
 
The union highlighted the ability for minor claims like this to be permitted under the national agreement,  providing the letter from Colin Menton, deputy general secretary with the Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery & Reform (DEPNDR).
 
“Fórsa is extremely proud to have several members who put themselves forward for election. We are bang smack in the middle of the general election campaign, this issue couldn’t be more “live” when we have SNAs who were elected in the local elections earlier this year, encountering difficulties when trying to fulfil their roles, so, Fórsa has escalated the matter to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), seeking a resolution that aligns SNA leave entitlements with those of teachers. The union remains committed to ensuring that SNAs who serve their communities in elected roles are not disadvantaged by policies that inhibit their capacity to engage in public service,” said Andy Pike, national secretary of Fórsa.
  

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