ACCS/info Bulletin 02/20
Thu, Jan 9th, 2020
The Secretary,
Board of Management and
School Principal in
each Community and Comprehensive School.
Members of the Executive of ACCS.
ACCS/Info Bulletin 02/20
Re: Industrial action by grant-funded secretaries (SSSF funded) who are members of the FÓRSA trade union
School secretaries in grant-funded (SSSF funded) posts who are members of the FÓRSA trade union have been directed by the union to take industrial action in the form of a one day strike on Friday, 10th January 2020 and a work to rule campaign commencing also on Friday, 10th January 2020. This work to rule campaign will consist of:
Non-compliance with ESINET
Non-compliance with OLCS
Non-compliance with FSSU
Non-compliance with in-house data base systems (e.g. VSware, Advanced) (See attached letter)
The DES has clarified that ‘in respect of the strike by such school secretaries on Friday, 10th January, all other staff employed in a school where the School Secretary is participating in the strike action are expected to attend for work as normal on the day (except where they are otherwise absent on an approved leave). This includes teachers, SNAs, secretaries employed on the 1978/79 scheme, secretaries employed in Department approved posts in Community & Comprehensive schools, caretakers, cleaners and all other school staff’.
Please see an email attached from FÓRSA setting out their position in respect of SNAs who are members of FÓRSA.
ASTI, TUI and INTO unions have also issued clarification to their members as
follows:
ASTI:
https://www.asti.ie/news/latest-news/news-article/article/asti-supports-school-secretaries/
TUI:
INTO:
https://www.into.ie/2020/01/07/into-supports-forsa-school-secretaries-claim-for-fair-treatment/
On-line Claim System (OLCS)
In terms of recording school staff absences and inputting claims, school management is reminded of the following document on DES website –https://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/On-Line-Claim-System-OLCS/Reminder-OLCS-Users.pdf. Please note that all absences and substitution claims must be entered and approved within the timeline specified. The next critical payroll cut-off date for post-primary payroll is Friday,17th January 2020 to ensure staff payment on the next pay issue date (30th January). Absences and claims must therefore be entered and approved by Friday, 17th January 2020.
ACCS is available at all times to advice and support our member schools in responding to issues that may arise as a result of this industrial action.
ACCS and the other management bodies will continue to work with DES and FÓRSA union in seeking a resolution to the current issue. See attached letter from the Department of Education and Skills regarding update on talks at WRC between FÓRSA, DES and Management Bodies.
Is mise,
le mór mheas,
_________________
John Irwin,
General Secretary ACCS.