Morale high as teachers gather for traditional Easter grind

Today marks the start of teacher conference week. The teachers are in good heart, with morale high, but there is still some behind-the-scenes manoeuvring. Seán Flynn, Education Editor, has the low-down

ASTI

Where?

West County Hotel, Ennis, Co Clare.

When?

Today until Thursday.

Membership: 17,000.

Delegates: 500.

State of the Union?

ASTI is still in recovery mode after the bruising pay campaign of five years ago. The union has been riven by bitter, personalised divisions but some of the clouds are clearing away and the mood is beginning, slowly, to brighten.

The ASTI was in the grip of what various education ministers saw as a "militant" tendency but the influence of this group may be waning. Recently, ASTI members voted overwhelmingly for a return to the ICTU tent.

There were other landmarks this year. The person most associated with the pay campaign in the public mind, former president Bernadine O'Sullivan, failed to secure the key deputy general secretary post, losing out to ex-RTÉ broadcaster Diarmaid de Paor, son of historian Liam. Another strong supporter of the pay campaign, former executive member Bernard Lynch, has resigned from the union.

So, who will the delegates be talking about?

John White, the union's general secretary, is naturally cautious but he is liked and respected by all sides. White, who took over from Charlie Lennon, is delighted at the return to Congress. In the coming year, beginning at this conference, he is likely to step up his public profile.

Delegates will also be assessing de Paor, White's accomplished new deputy. A former Labour Party councillor, de Paor is unfazed by internecine warfare.

Bernadine and her supporters - the so called "Bernadistas" - will also be talked about. There is speculation that O'Sullivan will contest the key post of union treasurer.

And what will delegates be complaining about?

Some ASTI members believe the union is losing out in terms of influence to the other teaching unions. They complain that ASTI has been taking a back seat while the influence and profile of the INTO and, especially, the TUI has continued to grow.

In response, John White will point out that his main task was to resolve the key issue about a possible return to Congress. Now that is out of the way, a (hopefully) united ASTI can raise its game on other issues.

Main issues?

There will be important debates about school discipline and education funding, but the key issue is probably an internal one ie how should the union's ailing branch structure be revived?

The leadership want to replace the current system where ASTI members have to vote at branch meetings. They say it would make more sense to allow members vote in their school or by post.

The initiative is a response to a situation where literally thousands of ASTI members have ceased to engage with their union at branch level. Less than 20 per cent of ASTI teachers bothered to vote in the ICTU ballot, billed as one of the most important in the union's history. Less than 5 per cent voted in the constituency of the ASTI president, Sheila Parsons.

Desperate to revive the union, the leadership say it is unrealistic to expect members to travel from their homes through often heavy traffic in order to vote at branch level. They also want to end a situation where branches can be controlled by a handful of active members.

But those loyal to the current system say it is democratic and open. If some people don't want to get involved in their union, that is their business. Expect a lively debate.

Craic factor?

ASTI conferences are not renowned for a high craic factor. Yes, there have been plenty of late nights and early mornings in recent years but most were spent plotting against the other side. Now that the tiresome civil war is over, members might actually enjoy the conference season.

INTO

Where?

Great Southern Hotel, Killarney.

When?

Began yesterday continues until late tomorrow.

Membership: 27,000, and 6,000 in Northern Ireland.

Delegates: 750.

State of the union?

The INTO is, by a distance, the most powerful and influential teacher union in the State. The Department of Education really sits up and takes notice if INTO boss John Carr is putting the boot in.

The union already has a number of achievements in the locker over recent years. Its campaigning forced the Government to sort out the school accommodation scandal and to raise its game on educational disadvantage and special needs.

Their demands for extra teachers, mainly for special needs children, has seen a record 1,100 new teachers since this time last year.

So, who will members be talking about?

John Carr now dominates the union to an extent few would have imagined when he succeeded Joe O'Toole five years ago. Carr may be less swashbuckling than O'Toole - but he has been more effective in terms of securing resources from Government. He is also hugely popular with members, who see him as a modest and very professional figure.

Carr has also shown exemplary judgment on education issues. The INTO does not chase headlines. It tends to be very measured in terms of its public comment. But when the INTO puts its full weight behind an issue you can feel the earth move in Marlborough Street and beyond.

The INTO is fortunate to have, in press officer Peter Mullan, someone now widely regarded as the best in the business. Delegates will also be interested to hear from Catherine Byrne, the veteran deputy general secretary who retires after 25 years of distinguished service with the union.

And what will members be complaining about?

Very little. Carr has maintained a steely grip on his executive members. There is little in the way of dissent. Members will want some reassurance that benchmarking will deliver - especially for principals. There was major disappointment last time out that Joe O'Toole's famous ATM didn't dole out the cash on the expected scale.

They are also concerned about those plans to publish school reports next month, which they say could identify and damage the reputation of individual teachers.

Main issues?

Class size is the new frontier for the union. Yes, it has been banging this drum for some time but expect the issue to dominate the education agenda as we approach the election next year. This is an issue where the union will hit the Government hard. The INTO believes it has reneged on commitments made in the Programme for Government. Expect a lively debate as delegates reveal the daily reality of our overcrowded classrooms.

Craic factor?

High. INTO delegates love meeting up with old friends from their teacher training days in St Pat's, Marino or wherever. Expect plenty of late nights and early mornings as the guitars are rolled out - and the singing begins.

TUI

Where?

Mount Brandon Hotel, Tralee, Co Kerry.

When?

Today until Thursday.

Membership: 13,000 at second and third level.

Delegates: 400.

State of the union?

TUI members are in buoyant form after a year in which the union shrugged off much of its old caution and led the way on several key issues, notably the crisis in school discipline.

The union has helped push the discipline issue to the top of the education agenda. Indeed, Minister for Education Mary Hanafin first established the Task Force on Student Discipline, largely in response to a TUI seminar on the issue.

The union also spelt out the extent of the problem in a groundbreaking survey of members. The survey exposed, for the first time, the full extent of disciplinary problems in the classroom. Significantly, it also revealed how many pupils were exasperated with the lack of decisive action on the issue.

By seizing such a big issue and making it their own, the TUI has vastly increased its own influence and stature. The left-leaning union, often derided as "USI for grown-ups" by some other teacher unions, is now taken very seriously indeed.

The union has been impressive on other fronts. Union president Paddy Healy has won plenty of plaudits for his thought-provoking, well-researched views across a whole range of education issues. Press officer Conor Griffin has also been impressive.

The TUI also appears much more united. The collateral damage caused by the ASTI dispute is now a distant memory. These days, (most) TUI members are singing from the same hymn sheet.

So, who will the delegates be talking about?

Dr Jim Dorney, the veteran TUI boss who has run the union with an iron grip since the hedge school days, (or thereabouts) will dominate. Dorney, recently conferred with an honorary doctorate, is a wily figure who may - or may not - retire shortly. A whole swathe of impressive senior TUI figures are waiting in the wings for clarification on this vexed issue. They include Peter McMenamin, Declan Glynn, John McGabhainn and Annette Dolan.

Glynn, who masterminded the whole discipline campaign, will be a huge favourite with delegates. But the TUI is blessed with a hugely talented senior management, any one of whom would be a formidable general secretary.

What will the delegates be complaining about?

Very little, from what one can gauge. TUI members have a new spring in their step. The challenge now is to build on a very successful year.

Main issues?

Discipline, discipline and more discipline. The issue is bound to dominate the conference. Delegates will be anxious to hear what Mary Hanafin has to say tomorrow morning. Many feel let down by the report of the discipline task force. They complain that the report understated the extent of the problem and provides little in the way of practical measures.

There is anger that the Government has allocated only €2 million to the issue. There is some resentment that the new behaviour support units will be available in only a small number of schools - and only on a pilot basis.

Craic factor?

TUI delegates like to work hard and play hard. Conference will be suspended at lunchtime tomorrow so delegates can sample the delights of Co Kerry, including Ballybunion golf course, so beloved of former US president Bill Clinton.

But it will back to the conference hall early on Thursday morning for another full day. Expect some latecomers.