The prospect of industrial action in second-level schools receded at the weekend with the executive of ASTI voting to pursue a political lobbying campaign.
At a meeting in Dublin of its 180-member central executive council, there was strong criticism of the strikes earlier this year in pursuit of a 30 per cent pay rise. The union will now spend several months consulting its members. A threat to exams is not likely to emerge from the consultations.
The union will maintain talks on substitution and supervision with the Department of Education and other teacher unions. The union believes an election will take place within the next few months, and putting pressure on TDs may be the best way to have its pay claim addressed.
The union remains opposed to participation in the Government's benchmarking process.
