Sir, - The ASTI holding the country's exam students to ransom in pursuit of its pay claim is the white-collar equivalent of the taxi-drivers' tactics before Christmas. Like the taxi-drivers, teachers are a monopoly engaged in shameful bullying and blackmail. Like the taxis, they demand on a settlement on their terms alone. No longer working week, no shorter holidays, no link between pay and performance, no workable means of getting rid of lazy, useless or uninterested teachers.
To retain any shred of credibility, the Government must stand up to their threats and blackmail - or would that also require a PD minister in the relevant department? Teachers whinge about lower pay than IT or other professionals, but fail to mention job security, longer holidays, the shorter working week or the other advantages of teaching. Anyway, who forced them to become teachers?
Teachers of Ireland, shame on you! - Yours, etc.,
Paddy Hickey, Cliftonville Road, Dublin 9.