Teacher unions to vote on public sector deal
ALMOST 60,000 teachers and institute of technology lecturers will be issued with ballot papers on the beleaguered Croke Park public sector deal this week.
Their votes will have a huge bearing on the outcome of the public sector ballots on the new pay deal.
The Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland has issued a strong 'no' recommendation to members, saying acceptance would result in a worsening of their conditions.
Although a copy of the agreement is made available to members, the union literature does not give both sides of the argument.
It claims the changes could mean that all in-service, parent/teacher meetings and staff meetings could be held outside of school time.
Members might also have to co-operate with alternative methods of assessing students for the Junior and Leaving Cert.
The Teachers' Union of Ireland is expected to vote 'no', while the Irish National Teachers' Organisation is likely to vote in favour.
The leadership of the Irish Federation of University Teachers has also recommended a 'no' vote.
- John Walshe
Irish Independent
