The central executive of the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI) has voted overwhelmingly to accept a proposal to return to Labour Court talks with the Government over a 30 per cent pay claim.
ASTI's 180-member Central Executive Council meet today to consider a new formula handed to the union and the Government last night by the Labour Relations Commission's Mr Tom Pomphrett.
The executive decided this afternoon to accept the proposal on the understanding that a Labour Court hearing takes place by February 7th and that a Labour Court recommendation is issued by February 26th for the consideration by Central Executive Council.
The Labour Relations Commission's proposal had suggested the Labour Court hearing take place no later than February 15th.
The Executive Council made the decision on a vote of 129 in favour of acceptance, with 30 against and one abstention.
The committee also said they will draw up a new schedule of industrial action to be activated if the process fails, though industrial action is to remain suspending in the meantime.