School secretaries and caretakers are beginning indefinite strike action. Union members want school secretaries and caretakers to be given public service pensions and 'other basic entitlements' that are provided to other public servants', such as better employment contracts, and improvements to sick leave and bereavement leave. Forsa Assistant General Secretary, Shane Lambert, says caretakers and secretaries are taking strike action as a last resort. For the duration of the strike, Forsa has told Special Needs Assistants not to carry out any duties that secretaries or caretakers would usually be responsible for, including opening and closing buildings and any tasks related to the secretary’s office. Teachers' unions have also been asked to instruct their members not to take on any additional duties while their secretary and caretaker colleagues are on strike.