Primary teachers threaten strike action next month

MORE than 20,000 primary teachers could go on strike next month following a threat by the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) to reactivate its industrial action of last year. The union blames a Government "breach of faith" for delays in reaching agreement on early retirement and a new promotions systems for teachers.

However, a spokesman for the Department of Education last night denied there had been any "undue or deliberate" delay in dealing with the issues.

An INTO executive committee meeting at the weekend discussed a proposal to restart industrial action on the issue which had been postponed last May. The committee deferred a vote on the proposal for two weeks.

Members of the INTO and the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland held a one day strike last year, but suspended plans for further industrial action when preliminary agreement was reached on the unions' claim for an early retirement scheme for teachers. Negotiations were restarted in the autumn but have dragged on past their expected completion date in October.

Although there is virtual agreement on the early retirement issue, there are still significant differences on Government proposals for a new system of middle management in schools and on its demand for extra productivity from teachers.

The general secretary of the ASTI, Mr Charlie Lennon, said his members were "very frustrated" that the talks had dragged on so long. However, one reason for this has been the decision to deal comprehensively with the issue of promotions, which had not been researched before.

The president of the Teachers' Union of Ireland, Mr Tony Deffely, said his members were anxious to see the negotiations completed. However, they were also concerned that the matters raised be dealt with in a balanced, comprehensive way.

It is thought the Department of Education will propose the creation of a new grade of senior teacher, the deputy or assistant teacher, who would be assigned specific duties for a fixed period of time in return for payment of an allowance.

On the demand for extra productivity, the Department will set out formally the non teaching duties of teachers for the first time.