Fórsa has withdrawn strike action by school secretaries and caretakers after an agreement was reached at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) last night to engage in a process to resolve the dispute.
The union said that the key element of the agreement is a Government commitment to negotiate comparable pension entitlements for school secretaries and caretakers.
In addition, the agreement provides for discussions on other issues including the conclusion of a pay framework agreement for caretakers, access to bereavement leave, access to sick leave and acute illness protocols, and the full implementation of payroll arrangements.
"The commitment to negotiate comparable pension entitlements is a significant advance, and one that our members have fought hard to achieve," said Fórsa's Head of Education Andy Pike.
"Alongside progress on sick pay, leave, and payroll arrangements, it provides a fair basis for our members to return to their schools and communities," Mr Pike said.
Discussions on the agreement will begin at the WRC on 10 September.
If there are any outstanding issues, the parties have agreed to have the matter referred to the Labour Court.
Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee described last night's developments as a breakthrough and said she very much welcomed Fórsa’s agreement to withdraw strike action and enter discussions in the WRC.
"I have seen around the country the impact of strike action on school communities and want to acknowledge their resilience throughout to keep schools open for children and young people," Ms McEntee said.
"We all have a responsibility now to make sure that these talks succeed so that secretaries and caretakers can resume their place at the heart of our schools.
"Both sides must come together with an open mind and good faith without preconditions or pre-conceived ideas of a final outcome.
"I have great confidence in the WRC in their role as expert facilitators.
"We need to now create space for this negotiation to take place and for normality to return to our schools next week," she added.
