Talks on the teacher's dispute are continuing this evening with the mediator, Mr Tom Pomphrett, expected to put forward a formula for talks to the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI).
It is understood the union will be offered a new process to allow it to pursue its 30 per cent pay demand. However according to a report in today’s
Irish Times
, the ASTI will not have to take part formally in the benchmarking pay review body.
Mr Pomphrett, of the Labour Relations Commission, has been in intensive discussions with the ASTI since Monday. He has requested all parties to respect a media blackout on the talks.
A spokeswoman for the ASTI the union's central executive committee will meet tomorrow.
Secondary schools around the State have been disrupted by the action since last November. Teachers staged a number of one-day strikes as well as withdrawing voluntary supervision on other specified days. Earlier this month schools were hit again in a series on rolling one-day strikes.
The dispute was in deadlock over the issue of pay docked from members for work-to-rule action before Christmas. Last week, the union's standing committee yesterday accepted assurances from the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, that the money would be refunded "without prejudice". According to the ASTI, teachers received that money this week.