SIPTU organisers and local politicians were among those who attended a protest today (Thursday, 31st August) by contract cleaners to highlight the loss of their jobs outside St Cronan’s Senior National School, Brackenstown, in Swords, County Dublin. The cleaners will resume their protest tomorrow (Friday, 1st September) from 8.30 a.m. to 9.30 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. SIPTU Organiser, Paul Hansard, said: “These SIPTU members were employed directly by the school for many years prior to a management decision last November to outsource the cleaning function to a contracted company. “A cleaning contractor, AFM Ireland Ltd, engaged by the management of the school to provide cleaning services in the new school year has refused to employ our members. The three workers protesting today have between them provided decades of service to this school." He added: “What is particularly unacceptable is the manner in which the board of management of the school has attempted to absolve itself of all responsibility to these loyal workers. In stark contrast to this approach has been the overwhelming support shown to the workers by parents of pupils and members of the public.” Contract cleaner, Lorraine Reilly, who has worked at St Cronan’s Senior National School for 19 years, said: “We are protesting because after many years of loyal service to the school our jobs have been given to a cleaning company which has refused to take us on. There have been cleaners on site since 28th August and we are now unemployed. We are receiving super support from family, the community, councillors and local TDs. They have all expressed disgust at how we have been treated and wished us the best of luck in getting our jobs back.” She added: “We hope to place enough pressure on the board of management for it to decide to sit down and speak with our SIPTU representatives. We then expect to have our jobs given back to us.”
SIPTU supports cleaners protest outside St Cronan’s Senior National School
