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Talks on School Staff Pensions Collapse as Fórsa Seeks Labour Court Referral

The union warns of renewed strikes after accusing the department of blocking comparable pensions that include credit for earlier service.

Overview

  • Talks at the Workplace Relations Commission ended without agreement on Thursday evening, leaving the pensions dispute unresolved.
  • Fórsa said it wants the case moved to the Labour Court in line with the process agreed when strike action was paused in September.
  • Union leaders contend the Department of Education has not offered proposals comparable to those for teachers and SNAs and refused a constructive plan on prior-service recognition.
  • More than 2,600 school secretaries and caretakers previously struck for over a week at the start of the school year, affecting around 2,000 schools.
  • Fórsa says further industrial action cannot be ruled out if a satisfactory outcome is not reached, and the department has been contacted for comment.