{
  "id": 12650902,
  "title": "School secretaries, caretakers vote to accept proposals",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/school-secretaries-caretakers-vote-to-accept-proposals",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-07T15:12:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTE News",
    "slug": "rte-news",
    "url": "https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/1007/1594442-school-secretaries/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "School secretaries and caretakers affiliated with the Fórsa trade union have overwhelmingly approved proposals regarding pay, pensions, and employment conditions. These measures include the implementation of a Labour Court recommendation on pension lump sums and gratuity payments, enhanced sick leave provisions, paid bereavement leave, and a new pay structure for caretakers. Beginning in March 2026, caretakers will receive backdated pay, and starting next March, they will join a pay scale similar to that of Education and Training Board caretakers. This vote follows a one-week strike earlier in the school year, affecting approximately 2,000 schools. Fórsa's Head of Education, Andy Pike, emphasized the union's commitment and solidarity during this lengthy and challenging process. The 94% vote, with over 88% turnout, serves as a strong endorsement of these proposals.",
  "summary": "School secretaries and caretakers, who are members of the Fórsa trade union, have voted overwhelmingly to accept proposals on pay, pensions and employment conditions.",
  "key_points": [
    "94% of school secretaries and caretakers voted to accept proposals",
    "Pay, pensions, and employment conditions improved",
    "Backdated pay starts March 2026 for caretakers"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}