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Same as it ever was…
t was back on September 16th, 2019 that we first spoke with Felicity 
O’Dowd outside St Kevin’s National School.
t was back on September 16th, 2019 that we first spoke with Felicity 
O’Dowd outside St Kevin’s National School.With a crowd of supporters behind her, this school secretary was joining many others across the country protesting for fair treatment when it comes to pay and pensions.
Secretary strike 20SEPT19
In 2022, the Department Of Education sprung into action, moving school secretaries and caretakers onto their payroll, but for reasons unknown, still excluded both groups from the Single Public Service Pension Scheme.
Which is why, as September’s new school year started, over 2,600 staff walked off their jobs nationwide in a strike supported by Fórsa and backed by teachers’ unions.
With talks due to start tomorrow, we caught up with Felicity again this morning, a whole six years since that first strike action…
We started industrial action in our attempt to gain pension parity and associated critical illness, bereavement leave and illness leave on Thursday 28th August.
After I was photographed in 2019 campaigning outside St Kevin’s School, we succeeded in the Department of Education putting us on their payroll but they refused to discuss pensions and the issue just seemed to fade away…
As so often happens. This time around we have an even stronger campaign though, and many, many people on our side.
We have support from principals, Boards of Management, teachers, parents and the general public, all who have been amazing.
St Brigid’s NS 1SEPT25
Fórsa are running a strong campaign with 98% mandate for strike action. They know that we will not go back without our demands being met.