Wake up ASTI, time is fast running out on you
This Labour Court Submission is a long, detailed and very carefully constructed account of the job of the typical secondary teacher. It outlines the work of the classroom teacher, and the ever increasing problems encountered by ASTI members, whose teenage pupils are at that most awkward time of life between childhood and adulthood. In addition, all the extra work, undertaken by secondary teachers during the past two decades, is graphically shown - extra work, for which no extra pay was given by the Department of Education and Science. Irrefutable evidence is presented in this submission for the ASTI's claim for a 30pc increase in salary. This claim was pursued by the ASTI through all the usual negotiating channels, unfortunately to no avail. It was only when all avenues other than Benchmarking had been exhausted that the ASTI reluctantly resorted to industrial action. Now is the time for the ASTI to move on, and examine new workable strategies.
The vast majority of secondary teachers are realists, and, as the recent survey shows, they are facing up to some very uncomfortable realities. One of these uncomfortable realities is that right now the salaries of secondary teachers are being negotiated in benchmarking!
By whom? By the INTO and TUI, because secondary teachers have exactly the same salary structure as Primary Teachers, Vocational Teachers and Community and Comprehensive School Teachers. The so-called Common Basic Scale is identical for all teachers, as are the allowances for qualifications and posts of responsibility.
At present the TUI and the INTO are negotiating a 34pc claim in Benchmarking for all teachers, including secondary teachers. Is it not ridiculous that the ASTI is absent? The ASTI should be in there, arguing and negotiating alongside the TUI and INTO for this eminently justifiable increase. The ASTI should participate as soon as possible in the Benchmarking process, and support the other two unions with facts, figures and rational arguments. This is a matter of considerable urgency, because the results of the Benchmarking process are due out at the end of June. Clearly, the ASTI is not going to engage in serious industrial action this school year. There is no forum other than Benchmarking, in which the salary claim can be discussed. The present ASTI policy of doing nothing, and playing the wait-and-see game is useless, and indeed dangerous. Those, who oppose going into Benchmarking, seem to argue that, by participating, the ASTI will have to sacrifice important aspects of union policy. They seem to suggest, for example, that participation in Benchmarking will automatically mean that secondary teachers will have to assess their own pupils in the Junior Cert. Examination. This is utter rubbish! The ASTI would be far better off to go in and explain to the Benchmarkers the sound, valid, educational reasons that underpin union policy, and to warn the Benchmarkers that the Union "is not for turning". As a negotiator, I learned very quickly the value of the three little words "No, we won't".
In slightly over five months' time the Benchmarking body will make its report. What is the ASTI to do? I believe that President Fitzpatrick, having courageously spelled out the unpleasant truth about last year's strike to the members, should now summon a Special Convention of the union to consider future strategy. Naturally, this strategy should embrace full participation in the Benchmarking process, 74pc of ASTI members have indicated clearly that they favour the submission of the union's claim to Benchmarking. As far as I'm concerned, that means going in and fighting the case. This majority view must not be ignored. In addition, the ASTI should immediately initiate talks with the INTO and TUI to consider joint tactics. Either the Benchmarking report will be satisfactory or it won't.
If it is not, then it's a return to industrial action, but this time a concerted campaign of action on the part of all three unions, with the backing of the ICTU, to which the ASTI should return as soon as possible. This is an Election Year.
Very soon the Dail will be dissolved, and Dail candidates will be banging on doors, looking for votes. Ultimately, the salary award recommended by the Benchmarking body will be a matter of political decision. It will be vital for every teacher in the country to demand a very high price from the smiling political faces on the doorsteps.
Wake up, ASTI members. Get your elected union representatives and also your full-time union officials to do what most of you want them to do, viz., to negotiate a proper professional salary through the only mechanism currently available, Benchmarking. Pierce Purcell is an ASTI trustee and former President of the union.
- Pierce Purcell
