SIPTU representatives have today (Wednesday, 7th April) called on the Government to ensure that Early Years educators are treated on the same basis as teachers and other education workers in relation to the vaccine rollout. SIPTU Head of Organising and Campaigns, Darragh O’Connor, said: “Early Years educators have stepped up to the plate at every stage of this pandemic by caring for and educating the children of essential workers. The majority of Early Years educators are working without sick pay, earning below the Living Wage of €12.30 per hour and do not have the ability to socially distance at work. They deserve equal treatment with educators in similar situations, such as teachers and SNAs, when it comes to the vaccine rollout.” He added: “Given that social distancing is not possible when working with young children, the Government should also implement mass Covid-19 antigen testing across the Early Years sector, focusing on areas with the highest infection rates.”
SIPTU representatives demand vaccine parity and rapid testing for Early Years educators
