THE PROSPECT of strike action by teachers over the winter increased yesterday as both the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) and the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) stepped up opposition to education and pay cuts.
The INTO says it will begin a ballot of teachers for industrial action, up to and including strike action, if talks with the Government break down. The ASTI said it also stood ready to ballot members on industrial action in co-ordination with the other teacher unions.
After a meeting of its 23-member executive, the ASTI said its 18,000 members will not tolerate further cutbacks in education. It warned that any attempt to impose further cuts on the education sector will be met by strong opposition.
INTO general secretary John Carr said Taoiseach Brian Cowen’s announcement this week that he plans to use the forthcoming budget to impose further pay cuts on public servants has “all but brought the curtain down on partnership”.
“Last Monday the Taoiseach unilaterally declared war on the 350,000 men and women in the public service,” said Mr Carr.
“Fresh from a multi-billion bailout for incompetent and corrupt bankers and their speculator friends, he left no one in any doubt that the pay and pensions of public service workers are to be sacrificed to part fund the bill.”
He said the national economic crisis was the result of this Government’s failed fiscal and economic policy, and the union would not accept that it was to be paid for from the salaries and pensions of those who work in the public service.
ASTI general secretary John White said the education cuts have dealt a devastating blow to schools.
Yesterday’s ASTI executive meeting considered reports from regional consultation meetings with school representatives on the education cutbacks. These show that second-level schools are losing teachers, dropping subjects and programmes and amalgamating higher and ordinary level classes in subject areas.
Mr White said: “The recent OECD report, Education at a Glance, concluded that education is even more important during a recession. It is of great concern that schools are being forced to make choices which will have a negative impact on the life chances of young people and on the country’s social and economic future.”
Mr Carr also said it was time for a review body on primary education.
He said there was a myriad of unresolved issues which create real problems for school leaders including school transport, information and communication technology and fundraising.