Secondary teachers will this morning be offered a new process to pursue their 30 per cent pay claim.
The new formula, which could open the way for negotiations, was worked out by the mediator in the teachers' dispute, Mr Tom Pomphrett.
The Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI) will not be asked to take part in the benchmarking pay review body which it opposes. Sources hinted there may be a role for the Labour Court or some other third party in the dispute.
There was speculation last night that the outcome of any hearing on the dispute may be put to all 17,000 ASTI members.
Mr Pomphrett believes his proposal will allow the ASTI pursue its demands without undermining the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. The ASTI is the only teaching union which withdrew from the PPF.
The new formula will be considered this morning at a meeting in the Burlington Hotel, Dublin, of the powerful 23member ASTI standing committee or executive. After this, it will be considered by the 180member Central Executive Committee (CEC). The CEC tends to be heavily influenced by the view of the executive.
All this week, Mr Pomphrett has been working on the peace formula with leaders of the ASTI and Government officials. The leaders of the other teaching unions - the INTO and the TUI - will be briefed on the new formula this morning. Mr Pomphrett has requested all sides to respect a media blackout on discussions.
It is thought the ASTI will suspend its campaign of industrial action if the formula is accepted by the CEC and negotiations begin. The union is demanding a down-payment on any pay award before the Leaving Cert oral exams begin on February 21st.
Today's CEC meeting will also consider the proposed ASTI ban on State exams which is due to begin early next month.
The other teaching unions, the INTO and the TUI, are using the benchmarking pay review body to pursue their pay demands. Both unions are demanding in excess of 20 per cent - over and above the gains flowing from the PPF.
The influential former president of the ASTI, Ms Bernadine O'Sullivan, maintains that benchmarking will lead to the "industrialisation" of education in this State, along British lines. She says it will lead to British-style performance evaluation of teachers and undermine the vocational nature of the job.