Threats of more strikes as 'partnership is dead'
TEACHER unions reacted with fury last night to the breakdown of talks with the Government.
The strongest reaction came from the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI), whose general secretary Peter MacMenamin said it now seemed that further pay cuts and subsequent industrial strife were inevitable.
"The Government did not have the moral courage to proceed and social partnership now lies dead on the floor of Government Buildings," said Mr MacMenamin, who announced that the TUI executive would meet on Monday.
The INTO executive is also meeting on Monday. The primary teachers' union already has a mandate for three days of strikes, but is expected to co-ordinate any further action with the Public Services Committee of the ICTU.
Incoming general secretary Sheila Nunan said the unions had acted in good faith, had offered to make a very generous and constructive contribution to transformation of the public service. "All of this has been rejected by government and a once-off opportunity has now been lost," said Ms Nunan.
It was clear that the unions were particularly aggrieved as they were ready to sign a deal which promised no reduction in the length of the school year or class contact with students.
The draft agreement, now ditched, specified that the maximum number of unpaid days they could take off in any one year would be two.
The deal also specified that the timing of unpaid leave days would be subject to the approval of management and the overall needs of the school.
The arrangements would have applied to teachers in first and second level schools, to special needs assistants and to third level staff.
ASTI general secretary John White said teachers were greatly disappointed that the Government had reacted to "ill-informed comments" in relation to the talks.
"The decision by An Taoiseach to reject the proposals will be a major blow to those working to achieve a return to economic growth and preservation of jobs and living standards from 2010 onwards," said Mike Jennings, general secretary, Irish Federation of University Teachers.
- John Walshe Education Editor
Irish Independent
