The leadership of the ASTI suffered a series of reversals yesterday as the group which has been critical of the partnership process tightened its grip on key positions.
In a crushing blow to the morale of the leadership, the current treasurer, Mr Michael Ward, was ousted by Ms Patricia Wroe, a strong supporter of a former president, Ms Bernadine O'Sullivan. Ms Wroe was elected on the second count as votes for another anti-benchmarking candidate, Mr Brian Maher, transferred to her almost entirely. The final vote was: Wroe 221 to Ward 203.
The leadership suffered a series of other setbacks this week including:
Ms O'Sullivan was nominated as the ASTI candidate for the Seanad elections;
Anti-benchmarking candidates took over several posts as trustees of the union;
Mr Pat Cahill, a strong supporter of Ms O'Sullivan was elected as vice-president;
The conference voted to continue a ban on any negotiations on supervision and substitution.
With the tone of the conference now clear, a motion to rejoin the ICTU - which is due to be heard today - is set to be easily defeated. Another motion - favoured by the leadership and which would see ballots taking place in schools rather than in branches - is also set to be defeated.
The ASTI needed "to re-establish a strong, united and focused organisation which has the support and strength of a committed and unified membership", the union's general secretary, Mr Charlie Lennon, told the conference.
He said he believed there was a need to re-examine and reform structures and procedures "to achieve a renewed and effective trade union organisation".
Mr Lennon delivered a low-key speech to the ASTI annual convention in Bundoran and received a muted response from delegates.
He concentrated mainly on the Government's record of introducing legislation, which he said was only being selectively implemented.
Mr Lennon said the ASTI needed to keep the focus on pay, but had to be alert to developments which could threaten members' working conditions.
"We need a more active, cohesive union at school and local level. We need to re-engage members with the union and the principles which underpin trade unionism," Mr Lennon said.