Information meetings for school secretaries continue this week, and local media in Donegal, Westmeath, Roscommon and Cork are spreading the word.

The Irish Times reports this morning that more than a third of women (40 per cent) considered quitting their job in the last 12 months, “citing burn out and the pressures of family life”, according to a survey by recruitment site Indeed. “Women are grossly under represented in all spheres of influence and it is wholly unacceptably. If we are to achieve gender equality it needs to be addressed urgently” - That was the message delivered to Saturday's NWCI rally from ICTU general secretary Patricia King. 

SIPTU general secretary Joe Cunningham writes about pension reform in the Irish Times today: "We need a flexible pension age, allowing people to work beyond the pension age if they wish (that’s why the commission’s proposal to end mandatory retirement contracts are welcome) while allowing people with long contribution records to retire early. "

Elsewhere, a new employment regulation order will see workers in the contract cleaning industry receive a pay rise next month.

Following two failed ceasefires at the weekend, a third attempt is being made today to create humanitarian corridors in several cities in Ukraine today. Irish medical student Racheal Diyaolu remains stranded in northeastern Ukraine. A planned evacuation to get her to the Polish border failed yesterday. 

Fórsa's appeal, which is raising funds to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine, passed the €51,000 goal yesterday, with donations from branches and individuals around the country.

Zen

Your Zen this morning comes from a Berlin railway station platform. Just click the image above.

Have a great week. 

Niall