SCHOOLS MAY face further disruption in the new year after secondary teachers raised the prospect of rolling half-day strikes over the Budget pay cuts.
At a weekend meeting, the executive of the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI) agreed to draw up an action programme including strike action.
It warned a “strong and sustained campaign of opposition is inevitable” given the anger among teachers at the Government’s pay cuts in the public sector.
The ASTI threat raises the possibility of serious disruption for Leaving and Junior Cert students in the run-in to the oral exams in March. A series of rolling half-day strikes would also be hugely inconvenient for working parents.
However, the ASTI has signalled it will work with the other teaching unions – the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO ), the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) and the Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT) – before deciding on the final shape of its action programme.
Teachers have seen a cumulative 13 per cent pay cut in the past year when the impact of the Budget pay cuts and the pension levy are combined.
The four teacher unions have already said teachers will not be co-operating with the Government’s transformation agenda for the public sector.
In addition, the ASTI says it will “vigorously implement” directives banning co–operation with parent/ teacher meetings and staff meetings outside school hours.
The union has also issued directives limiting co-operation in a range of areas, including school development planning meetings and school inspections.
Yesterday, ASTI general secretary John White said “the Government has clearly indicated that it does not believe that quality, effective pubic services are important to ordinary members of the public, including parents, children, young people, pensioners and workers. It must live with the consequences of this”.
Teacher union officials stress that “nothing has been ruled out’’ as the teaching unions work out a co-ordinated response to the pay cuts.
Up to 77 per cent of teachers supported the one-day strike action last month. Teachers do not have to be balloted again on any work-to-rule or non-co-operation.
The three teacher unions also have a mandate for two further days of industrial action. However, the Irish Federation of University Teachers must seek a mandate for any industrial action.
The teacher unions will be anxious to minimise further financial difficulties for members. Last month’s one-day strike cost the average teacher about €80-€100 after tax.
The average teacher in the State earns €62,000 at primary level and €67,000 at post-primary level, according to Department of Education figures. Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe has said he hoped to make progress on education reform in fresh talks with the teacher unions in the new year.
However, the furious reaction to the Budget makes any prospect of renewed discussions remote.
Last week, TUI general secretary Peter MacMenamin accused the Government of “declaring war on the public service by reneging on discussions to find a workable solution as an alternative to cuts”.
