Up to 20,000 ASTI members who are teachers in second-level schools all over the country have commenced industrial action as part of a public service-wide dispute over pay.
The dispute centres on what the ASTI calls the “government’s failure” to address the gap between public service pay and inflation as a priority in talks on a new national pay deal.
The ASTI’s campaign of industrial action begins on UNESCO World Teachers’ Day, an initiative which aims to highlight the importance of protecting the status of the teaching profession, including the working conditions and pay of teachers.
The initial phase of industrial action will involve ASTI members withdrawing from activities such as the Croke Park Hours from Monday, October 5th. Teaching and learning will continue as normal.
ASTI members are taking industrial action alongside members of other public service unions affiliated to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. This initial industrial action will escalate to a public service-wide day of strike action on Wednesday, October 14th.
ASTI President, Richie Bell, said “teachers’ pay has fallen significantly behind inflation. ASTI members have strongly endorsed the public service-wide campaign of industrial action – including an escalation to strike action – with the objective of securing credible talks with Government which address the pay-inflation gap experienced by teachers and other public service workers.”
ASTI General Secretary, Linda Kelly, said, “today – UNESCO World Teachers’ Day – we should be celebrating the contribution of teachers and schools to society. Instead, ASTI members begin industrial action to highlight the disconnect between the Government’s approach and the daily realities faced by teachers and their families due to cost of living pressures.”