Gorey Community School Returns to Normal After Strike Ends, Revealing Impact on Ireland’s Largest School
Gorey, Co. Wexford – Life at Gorey Community School, Ireland’s largest secondary school, is returning to normal after a week and a half of disruptive strike action by caretakers and secretaries concluded late Friday night with a breakthrough agreement. The dispute, centered on pension parity, forced the school to implement drastic measures, highlighting the essential role these staff play in daily operations.The strike began impacting the school immediately,forcing administrators to limit attendance to 50% capacity,rotating students between in-person learning and remote instruction. Hot school meals were cancelled, with students asked to bring packed lunches and take their waste home. Despite these efforts, waste quickly accumulated as the caretakers’ responsibilities went unfulfilled.
By Tuesday, Principal Michael Finn expressed growing concern over the mounting rubbish, while also acknowledging the need for a positive working relationship post-strike. “When all this is over, we still all need to work with each othre in a harmonious surroundings,” he told reporters.
The escalating situation prompted Mr. Finn to publicly address the “looming rubbish crisis” on RTÉ News Online and the Nine O’Clock News on Wednesday. He consulted with the Association of Community and Comprehensive Schools, and the Department of Education suggested utilizing a contract cleaning company.
on Thursday, Advance Cleaners, a local Wexford company frequently contracted by the school, was brought in to clear the accumulated waste. This decision, while necessary to maintain sanitary conditions, proved controversial. A source closely associated with the school described it as ”a very difficult decision,” adding, “But the school was between a rock and a hard place.” They also emphasized that senior management remained supportive of the striking staff, despite the move.
The use of a contract cleaning company “stirred up a hornet’s nest,” according to one individual connected to the school, as strikers felt the school community was fully behind their cause. The situation created tension as the school concurrently sought to mitigate the strike’s effects by employing replacement workers.
Public and political pressure intensified throughout Friday. Calls for goverment intervention to resolve the dispute grew louder, culminating in a powerful show of support when a group of parents joined the striking caretakers and secretaries on the picket line, demonstrating with placards and vocal encouragement.
Late Friday evening, Fórsa’s Head of Education, Andy Pike, announced positive developments in a video posted to social media. “We think we after all these years, have got some movement on delivering pension parity for all of you,” he stated. “We do have some movement and I hope we are at the early stages of a resolution.”
shortly after, Minister for Education Helen McEntee confirmed a breakthrough had been reached following discussions between Fórsa and the Department of Education at the Workplace Relations Commission. All strike action has been withdrawn.The resolution brings an end to a challenging period for Gorey Community School, underscoring the vital contributions of its caretakers and secretaries and the significant disruption caused by their absence. The school now looks forward to resuming normal operations with a renewed commitment to a harmonious working environment.
