Department ‘confident’ it can deduct ASTI pay

The Department of Education is confident it has the ability to deduct pay from ASTI members after the secondary teachers’ union voted to reject working additional hours.

It is understood the department’s payroll system does not discriminate between members of the 17,500-strong ASTI and others who are members of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI).

However, in a statement last night, a spokeswoman for Minister for Education Richard Bruton said officials were confident they be able to put “appropriate arrangements in place to deal with any deductions that may have to be made from salaries of ASTI members”.

The department has warned teachers that they risk losing up to €31,000 over the next four years by voting to withdraw an additional 33 hours of non-teaching hours a year.

The union voted by 68.5 per cent to 31.5 per cent to withdraw working these hours, introduced under the Croke Park pay deal. They are typically used for school planning and staff meetings, but are widely resented by many union members who regard them as “detention for teachers”.

The first penalty ASTI members are likely to face is losing about €800 scheduled to be part of their salary for September for supervision. Increments will also be frozen for ASTI members, though the effect of this measure may not take effect for several months.

The ASTI’s standing committee – which met yesterday – has issued a fresh warning that it will ballot members on industrial action up to and including strike action if the Government moves to worsen the terms and conditions of union members.It also reaffirmed its decision to seek a repeal of the financial emergency legislation.

Mr Bruton, meanwhile, has signalled that he is prepared to meet with the union to discuss a separate dispute over junior-cycle reform.

A spokeswoman said arrangements have not yet been made for such an engagement, although the Minister has indicated his intention to make contact with ASTI for this purpose.

She said the department also remains open to engaging with the union on wider issues of concern to them and an invitation has previously been extended to them.

The TUI, meanwhile, is balloting members over a deal which would see members agree to work the Croke Park hours.

If this deal is accepted, TUI members would be considered as being covered by the Lansdowne Road agreement and would not face potential financial penalties.

TUI members will also vote separately on industrial action, including strikes, if the agreement is rejected.