The year 1970 was marked in the Republic by considerable agitation over teachers' pay.
The original issue in dispute was the scale of salaries and allowances proposed by Prof Louden Ryan in 1968. His report had recommended a common basic scale for primary, secondary and vocational teachers, rising to £1,350 for women and single men, and to £1,700 for married men.
Secondary teachers were ambivalent to a common basic scale. A three-week strike ended with the March 1969 agreement, which offered them special functions allowances. But the Department of Education, having misjudged the reaction of the other teacher unions, broke the agreement.
The State Papers just released include a telegram of protest from ASTI president, Michael Sheedy, to the Taoiseach, Jack Lynch (DT 2001/ 6/25).
Eibhlin Ni Bhroin wrote to Mr Lynch from Ardscoil Eanna in Dublin. She apologised for writing in English. "This is a sincere appeal to you to make an attempt to heal the breach between the minister for education and the secondary teachers . . .
"Our family has a teaching tradition. My late parents left us their legacy of love for the profession, pupils and teachers alike. It distresses me to feel that there is such bitterness between my colleagues and Fianna Fail."
During the showdown, procrastination sapped the will to strike. It was clear the government had decided to implement the Ryan tribunal recommendations. Moreover, the public was weary of the long-drawn-out dispute.
By February 1971, ASTI negotiators had obtained marginal improvements on the salary scale and its incremental range. But the common basic scale was established. Posts of responsibility were introduced instead of the preferred ASTI option of special functions allowances. Three years of agitation ended with a 56 per cent ballot in favour of acceptance.
Another correspondent pointed out to the Taoiseach that married women teachers were doubly discriminated against. Women and single male teachers received the same salary. She continued: "There is further discrimination within the pay structure. Married women teachers are holders of temporary contracts, regardless of their years of dedicated service. Under the recent agreement, temporary holders of contracts are not eligible for posts of responsibility."
Writing as the wife of a full-time medical student, "I hearby [sic] apply for recognition of the fact that I am doing what my colleagues, married male teachers, are doing and seek remuneration accordingly".