Higher wages for secondary teachers to combat the cost of living, the abolition of “unpaid work” and the equalization of pensions are called for in talks on a new public sector wage pact.
ASTI general secretary ieran Christie told delegations at the union’s annual conference in Wexford today that its leaders would “do everything in their power” to advance these goals.
He said negotiations on a new contract following Building Momentum will begin in the coming months.
Unions of the country’s 340,000 civil servants are already negotiating an additional 6.5% pay rise because of inflation. The revised contract expires at the end of this year, and negotiations on a new contract are scheduled for this summer.
“The rapid growth in inflation over the past period has significantly reduced the living standards of all workers, including teachers,” he said.
He said it wasn’t clear, but there is hope that discussions on a new agreement to follow the Building Momentum will begin in the coming months.
“Let me be clear about the three main ASTI objectives pursued in such negotiations,” Christie said.
“Increase wages for all teachers to combat the rising cost of living in our country.
“We would like to end the unpaid work currently being done under the Croke Park and Haddington Road Agreement and maintain pensions equivalent to teaching for retired members.”
Mr Christie said sectoral bargaining funds had been set up under the deal, which amounted to a 1% wage increase.
He said there was “backlog business” as not all of the funds were spent and negotiations were underway over possible temporary payments to teachers.
Christie said part of the fund was used to settle claims for entitlement benefits for those who joined after 2010.
In addition, the salary system for new employees has been revised.
Members agreed with TUI to pay a one-third percentage increase to all second-level teachers dating back to February last year, he said.
Otherwise, they will seek to restore the ASTI member’s incremental date with the points on the scale adjusted.
Mr Christie said the TUI initially sought to explore the possibility of merging the two unions to form a stronger and larger union, and discussions about its scope were ongoing.
Meanwhile, he accused the management of Athenry’s Presentation College of being “disgraceful.”
He claimed he refused to release ASTI member Niall Duddy from his teaching position to attend meetings related to his role on the Education Council.
Mr Duddy is an elected member of a voluntary secondary school sector representing more than 8,000 teachers in Connacht, Münster and Ulster, he said. He said the situation had a debilitating effect on the council’s work.
The delegates rose from their seats and applauded Mr. Duddy at the meeting.
Christie said the union has a “unique opportunity” to work with state agencies to highlight bullying and harassment of teachers by students using online platforms.
He said the union is receiving legal advice and a subcommittee is working to advise union members.
