SIPTU representatives demand equal treatment for all educators under new Level 5 restrictions

31st December

SIPTU representatives have today (Thursday, 31st December) demanded that equal treatment is applied to all educators under new Level 5 restrictions.

Speaking following the announcement of the move, SIPTU Head of Organising Darragh O’Connor said: “An Taoiseach told the nation that the reopening of primary and secondary schools will be delayed to allow families to minimise their contacts and allow schools implement new Covid-19 protective measures. The reality is that Early Years educators and parents face the exact same challenges. However as it stands the early years sector is expected to reopen from Monday 4th January.”

He added: “SIPTU is demanding that the start date is pushed back to coincide with the reopening of schools and that equal treatment for Early Years educators is applied to ensure the same protections can be implemented and people are kept safe.”

Early Years educator and SIPTU member Clare Casey said: “We are qualified educators and should be treated with the same respect shown to other educators by the government. As an educator, I experience the same fears around contracting Covid-19 as my colleagues in primary and secondary schools and just because I work in a creche doesn’t mean I am immune to catching this deadly virus.”