Noel Larragy

The supervision ballot was a red herring. We're professionals, with a collegiate attitude. If voluntary work is to be recognised now, it should be in the form of a proper salary increase, not a per-hour rate. We should have had a say in the £27 offer, but this should not have been a strike issue.

Declan McConnell

This issue goes back to the 1988 offer of £100 million to teachers, of which £75 million was deferred until times improved - we never got that money.

The recent ballot has nothing to do with our pay campaign - it's a childish distraction and that's why only half the eligible number voted.

Colin Redmond

My disappointment is with the lack of leadership in the ASTI. There is no confidence in head office. We have to be disappointed by the numbers who voted in the last ballot, but it just proves that people think it has nothing to do with the main issue of our pay. Teachers are tired and demoralised.

Maria Heffernan

We should have been allowed to vote on the £27, but we were just asked to vote on supervision. Saying "yes" only means we'll have strikes again. I love the kids and teaching, but I feel so let down by the Department and ASTI. I'm in my third year and I still have no job security.

Tony Doherty

If last year hadn't happened the ballot would have been acceptable but now we've voted to let the executive decide on supervision withdrawal.

The profession is losing something - teachers are seen as greedy people. We need to go on a publicity offensive.

Jim Fitzpatrick

I'm so frustrated with ASTI I ignore any plan they come up with. The concessions ASTI are seeking are related to pensions, meaning they disregard young teachers. In 1968 a five-week strike ensured conditions for me as a young teacher were improved - we should go on all-out strike now.