Teachers have been urged to support Saturday's demonstration planned by the Irish Congress of Trade Union in Dublin.
The Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) today called on primary teachers to support the demonstration, with general secretary John Carr describing it as "a defining moment for Irish society".
"The turn out on Saturday will not change the economic situation in which the country finds itself. But, massive turn out will send a clear message to government that ordinary people want a better, fairer way of dealing with the problem," he said.
"Public sector workers want to see the most vulnerable, low paid and unemployed protected from the worst effects of recession. Equally, private sector workers see the unilateral attack on public sector workers as unfair."
Mr Carr said teachers were willing to play their part if everyone was asked to contribute according to their means, and called for the Government to adopt Ictu's plan for national recovery.
The Teachers Union of Ireland said the levy did not address the economic crisis in a logical, fair or balanced way.
"We implore the government to engage with Ictu in seeking a better, fairer way for all citizens of this country. The 10-point plan set out by Congress plots a fair and equitable trail out of these troubled waters. It will irreparably damage the country if the government refuses to re-engage with Ictu on these issues," TUI general secretary Peter MacMenamin said.
Mr MacMenamin said TUI members would be among the union members protesting on Saturday