Fórsa represented school secretaries and caretakers at the Labour Court on Monday (12th January) as part of the ongoing dispute over pension provision and related pay and conditions issues. 

The Court heard the union’s case and has now adjourned. A recommendation will issue in due course. Once that recommendation is received, members of the union’s school secretaries and school caretakers branches will be consulted on whether to accept or reject its terms. 

The Labour Court process follows the breakdown of talks at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) last November, when no progress was made on the provision of comparable pension benefits or the recognition of prior service.  

At Monday’s hearing, Fórsa set out in detail why current arrangements fail to provide school secretaries and caretakers with pension outcomes comparable to those available across the public service. 

The union outlined how the new auto-enrolment savings scheme would require members to pay higher contributions while receiving lower employer contributions, resulting in inferior pension outcomes. Particular emphasis was placed on the position of members over the age of 60, who are excluded from auto-enrolment entirely, despite having given long and significant service. 

Commenting on the hearing, head of the union's Education division Andy Pike said the Labour Court provided an important opportunity to put forward the union’s proposals for resolving the dispute and to argue for equal treatment for members. 

While the pension parity claim is now before the Labour Court, three additional claims (covering caretaker pay levels, bereavement leave, and sick leave) remain in process at the WRC. 

Branch chairs Luisa Carty and David Hearne have thanked members for their continued patience and determination throughout a long and demanding campaign, including last year’s strike action. Both emphasised that the Labour Court stage represents a significant step forward in securing a fair and lasting outcome. 

Fórsa will keep members fully informed as soon as the Court’s recommendation is issued. 

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