Not everyone convinced by the least worst option

ANALYSIS:Conference season is showing up divisions among unions over the new pay deal

MARY COUGHLAN arrived at the teacher conference yesterday determined to shrug off all the bruising and personalised criticism that marked her term in the Department of Enterprise.

In welcoming her to the INTO conference, union general secretary Sheila Nunan poked a little fun at the new Minister, saying: “If you don’t believe half the things you’ve heard about teachers, we won’t believe half the things we’ve heard about you.”

Coughlan delivered a smooth performance, appearing entirely unruffled by the 100 or so delegates who booed and heckled her during her address. At the end of her speech, the Minister even gained some polite applause from delegates.

Coughlan refused to make any comment on the criticism of the public service pay deal by the ASTI and the TUI. This was a matter for the unions themselves and she would not dare interfere in their internal matters.

With Coughlan refusing to comment, the focus remained fixed on the leadership of the three teacher unions, the INTO, the ASTI and the TUI. The leaders of the three unions were all party to the Croke Park pay deal, and publicly supported it last week.

During a robust debate – behind closed doors – the INTO leadership was accused by some members of “jumping in” to support the pay deal before the views of members had been canvassed.

The debate was an uncomfortable one for Nunan but she will have been reassured by the lack of rancour. Both sides appeared to be genuinely interested in the opposing point of view. How often can that be said about debates at teacher conferences?

In the end, the leadership won the day – but narrowly. By a majority of just four votes, the conference rejected a motion which would have overturned the executive’s recommendation of support for the deal.

In truth, there was very little enthusiasm for the agreement. Even Nunan described it as flawed. But, having explored the alternatives, INTO members decided it was the least worst option.

In voting for the deal, INTO members were also rejecting another round of industrial action. During the debate they were told of the ferocious public reaction to the passport office disruption and warned about the economic meltdown facing the State. The underlying message? More strike action will get us nowhere.

But those arguing against the deal also presented a strong case. Many delegates complained that the deal gave the Government carte blanche to “go after” teacher conditions and pensions.

Certainly, the deal is very difficult to sell. It has one fundamental flaw: while its benefits are conditional (on economic circumstances and the exchequer position) its dangers are all too apparent.

Coughlan moved to reassure teachers about the proposed revision of contracts, which forms part of the new deal. She had no intention, she said, of taking out the machete to teachers in the context of contracts and there should be no fear about that.

But there are real fears across the teaching community. The INTO managed – only just – to assuage these fears. But the TUI and the ASTI are clearly not convinced.

Last night, in a move viewed with astonishment by INTO delegates, TUI delegates voted down the pay deal without any dissent. The ASTI will also ratchet up its campaign of opposition today. Already, the teacher conference season has exposed deep and fundamental divisions among the unions.