Sir, - Pierce Purcell (June 27th) expects his trade union, the ASTI, "to take positive steps to protect and improve both the salaries and pensions of teachers". One such step, he writes, "would obviously be for the ASTI to rejoin the Congress of Trade Unions. . ."
Does Mr Purcell not know that it was while the ASTI was affiliated to ICTU that teachers' pay fell behind? Even the Labour Court has acknowledged this. Does he not know that this is why the ASTI left ICTU in the first place?
Does he not know that the recommendations of the Public Service Commission on Pensions, which aims to reduce the Government pension bill by reducing public service pensions, were accepted by ICTU? Is this his idea of protection?
Mr Purcell goes on to say: "By refusing to engage in the benchmarking process, the ASTI has lost the opportunity of adding its voice to those of the INTO and the TUI in the salary negotiations." Does he not know that there have been no negotiations whatever involved in the benchmarking process? None are allowed. Does he not know that the TUI and INTO will not even be allowed by ICTU (Public Service Committee decision of May 21st) to negotiate on the phasing of the payment of the remaining 75 per cent of the benchmarking offer? Does he not know that the Benchmarking Body is a research body and that they already know all they can know about the job of teaching? Or is he doubting the quality of the TUI and INTO submissions to that body?
Does he not realise that the PPF increases (15 per cent over the past three years) plus the benchmarking award (let's say 15 per cent over the next three years) would not even keep pace with inflation, never mind delivering an actual salary increase which the Labour Court says teachers deserve?
Yes, 74 per cent of ASTI members will be interested in what the Benchmarking Body thinks the job of teaching is worth in financial terms. The survey last autumn showed that. They are interested, as a matter of curiosity, in its opinion. They are not interested in "engagement in benchmarking" - in submitting to, and being bound by, its recommendations. Five national ballots of ASTI members in 18 months have shown that. The "ordinary" members are not stupid. - Yours, etc.,
SEÁN FALLON,
(ASTI member),
Killakee Walk,
Firhouse,
Dublin 24.