THE prospects of industrial peace in the education sector have receded further. Talks on a new appointments procedure for vocational teachers collapsed yesterday.
The TUI says the talks broke down after management representatives from the Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA) refused to continue discussions on a new appointments procedure until next month.
The TUI says it will not agree to a new package on teachers' pay and conditions under the Programme for Competitiveness and Work unless agreement is reached on appointments. It accused the IVEA of a "breach of faith".
The dispute makes it even more unlikely that a deal will be reached between the Government and the two second level unions in the PCW talks. The ASTI is already locked in conflict with its management body over new proposals for the promotion of teachers in secondary schools.
Although many aspects of a new deal have been agreed between the unions and the Government, there is still disagreement over the Government demand for greater flexibility from teachers.
In the original £66.7 million offer rejected by two unions last spring - but accepted by the INTO - this was expressed as a demand for 15 hours' extra work a year to be devoted to non teaching activities.
The unions have indicated they would accept an additional six hours for activities such as parent teacher meetings, although half this allocation would be used in school time. Thus for example, a two hour parent teacher meeting would begin an hour before the end of the school day. However, the Government side is pressing for a greater commitment.
Both sides fear that if no agreement can be reached this year, the additional money for a new deal may not be available. However it appears highly unlikely the unions will be able to organise a ballot until the new year, even if a new package is agreed shortly.
A failure to reach an agreement may jeopardise plans to give early retirement to several hundred primary teachers. Applications for early retirement from INTO members are due in tomorrow, but it is unclear whether the scheme can go ahead this year without the agreement of the other parties.
The INTO also says that if improved terms are agreed with the other unions, it will demand that the same provisions apply at primary level.
