ASTI urges Government to enter talks as action by teachers starts

Industry Correspondent

The union representing second-level teachers, which is embarking on industrial action in schools from today, has called for talks with the Government.

Members of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) have commenced limited industrial action such as refusing to attend meetings, including parent/teacher meetings outside of school hours following their rejection of the Haddington Road agreement on public service pay and productivity.

However in a statement ASTI general secretary Pat King warned that the dispute had the potiential escalate and urged the Government to enter into talks.

“ASTI members voted 2:1 in favour of industrial action up to and including strike action. This strong mandate demonstrates the depth of feeling amongst teachers about what is going on in second-level schools,” said Mr King.

“The Minister for Education and Skills and the Government have to be concerned that the majority of second-level teachers are engaging in industrial action and that this dispute has the potential to escalate. Now is the time to seek a resolution.”

Mr King said the ASTI believed that “an appropriate talks process” had the potential to result in an outcome that was acceptable to all concerned.

“Talks between the ASTI and the Government are the only way to resolve this dispute”.