Sir, - Your Editorial of Monday, January 8th asserts that the ASTI rejected peace moves which could have opened the way for a resolution of the current dispute. However, you fail to give a due explanation why talks involving the ASTI, the Government and an independent facilitator broke down in the first place.
Last December the ASTI entered into talks with an independent facilitator in good faith and agreed to take no further industrial action while the talks were in progress. The union believed the Government side would take the same approach.
However, only days after these talks began the Government docked the pay of ASTI members who embarked on a work-to-rule type of industrial action during November. This extraordinary action came at a most sensitive and crucial time and served to shatter teachers' confidence in the Government's commitment to resolve the current dispute in a fair and reasonable manner.
Last Saturday, the 180-member ASTI Central Executive Council voted to re-enter talks with the Government when money withdrawn for days on which members withdrew voluntary supervision was returned. It took this decision because ASTI members believe the Government's action of docking members' pay on these days was illegal and provocative.
The "gung ho" approach of the Government to dealing with the ASTI dispute contrasts sharply with its approach other recent public sector disputes. Provocative public statements, illegal docking of pay, and judicious leaks to the media designed to intimidate ASTI members will not lead to a resolution.
Having exhausted all avenues in an attempt to get into negotiations on teachers' pay, the ASTI is about to embark on a further phase of industrial action in pursuit of a salary increase.
The Government should take the initiative and agree to enter into talks in an honest and reasonable manner, and prevent further disruption to schools. - Yours, etc.,
Don McCluskey, President, ASTI, Winetavern Street, Dublin 8.