TRALEE RTC is expected to be closed today as a result of a one day strike by members of the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI). The dispute is over the refusal by the college to appoint a woman lecturer to a permanent position at the end of her probationary year.
The strike is seen by the union as a "warning shot" intended to cause minimal disruption in the college; no exams are scheduled for tomorrow. The TUI has warned that "more serious action" will follow unless the issue is resolved.
The marking of exams may be affected if the dispute escalates.
The woman at the centre of the dispute was appointed in a temporary capacity in 1993. A year later the position was advertised on a permanent basis and the woman was appointed.
She was injured in a car accident in April 1995 and has been out of work since. The union says she planned to return shortly, but that management had decided not to confirm her as permanent.
Industrial action is also being threatened by the TUI's Dublin city branch over the high proportion of second level teachers employed on part time and other "atypical" contracts.
A ballot for strike action next autumn on the issue is to take place soon. The unions wants the part time contracts to be converted into whole time permanent jobs.
Almost half the teachers employed by the City of Dublin VEC are on some form of atypical contract, many working full time on a casual basis.
"Many of these teachers have been employed on a casual basis for up to 20 years, and most are highly qualified in their respective areas," said Ms Mary Friel, chairwoman of the Dublin city branch.
