Union rank and file are in no mood to reach a compromise on what they consider core principles, which is bad news for the leadership that brokered the deal, writes GRÁINNE FALLER
THE MOOD at the ASTI convention this year had a militant edge.
Like the other union conferences, the deal agreed between the Government and union leaders on public services pay and reform dominated discussion and debate.
Appeals by the union’s general secretary John White and president Joe Moran to think strategically and to consider all options in relation to the agreement were met with a respectful silence, while rallying cries for strike by speakers throughout the three days were greeted by applause and sometimes standing ovations.
The harder line was welcomed by some speakers such as Athlone delegate Mike Moriarty who said the ASTI was moving from being a middle-class pressure group to a trade union.
Business is not yet finished in Galway. Today, the union’s central executive committee will vote on the public services agreement.
The most likely outcome is that they will opt to ballot union members and will recommend that members vote to reject the deal.
Yesterday, ASTI delegates questioned why younger teachers were staying away from union politics.
One made the point that many young teachers were scraping a living together and could hardly afford to come to a three-day convention.
A young Dublin teacher who has been on part-time hours for six years said: “It’s difficult to get involved when you don’t even know whether you’ll be teaching next year.” He made the point that a lot of younger teachers were in that position.
The union was advised by younger speakers to forget the jargon, to speak plainly and to properly communicate to its young members.
ASTI president Joe Moran acknowledged that some of the union structures could also be an impediment to younger members becoming involved.
New members need to have been involved for a year before they can attend congress for example. “I see no reason for that,” Mr Moran said.