School secretaries and caretakers overlooked as Waterford passes motion for equal public servant status

Waterford Council unanimously passed a motion last week calling on government to ensure equal public servant status for school secretaries and caretakers.

Catherine Burke, principal of Mount Sion Primary school and local councillor, proposed the motion in City Hall, saying that "immediate action" needs to be taken on the issue.

Cllr Burke asked for Waterford City and County Council to stand in solidarity with secretaries and caretakers "who have been overlooked for far too long".

“These are the people who open our schools in the morning and often lock them at night," she said.

"They are the first faces to greet children and parents, the ones who manage the daily running of the schools behind the scenes and the ones who ensure premises are safe, warm and welcoming.

“Yet, unlike their colleagues, special needs assistants and teachers, they are denied equal public servant status.” 

Cllr Burke said that this leaves many of them with little or no access to pensions, limited sick leave and job insecurity.

"It's unjust and unsustainable," she said, "equal work deserves equal rights, nothing less.” 

“Our motion calls on Government to end this disparity and ensure fair treatment for school secretaries and caretakers across the country."

The motion, which was seconded by Cllr Jim Griffin, was carried unanimously in the council chamber.