Secondary teachers edged closer last night to disrupting schools again after the ASTI voted not to accept the Government's offer on supervsion and substitution.
The union has instructed its members to pull out of all supervision and substitution work from March 4th. It called on the Minister for Education, Dr Woods, to put in place continguency plans. Otherwise, it warned, schools would close.
The union's members rejected the €34 (£27) an hour offer, made by Dr Woods, by a margin of more than 70 to 30. The turnout of 44 per cent, while low, was higher than anticipated by some union insiders.
The union has passed a motion to withdraw from supervision and substitution on foot of the vote. If it carries out its threat, schools will be forced to close because of health and safety concerns among school managers.
The Joint Managerial Body, which represents managers of voluntary secondary schools, said that it was disappointed by the vote. "The JMB believes that the current offer represents a significant advance and recognises the valuable contribution of teachers to supervision and substitution services," said Mr George O'Callaghan, its general secretary. "The present uncertain situation will continue to cause difficulties for school managements. Some schools are approaching a crisis situation in attempting to sustain adequate levels of supervision and substitution."
The ASTI executive put the offer out to ballot with a recommendation that members should vote No. The union wants the offer made pensionable. Dr Woods has said that he will look at this issue, but not until the end of the year.