MR Tony Deffely, president of the Teachers' Union of Ireland, has defended the reputation of the union's general secretary, Mr Jim Dorney, following calls for his resignation from some TUI members.
In a special address to the union's annual congress in Cork yesterday, Mr Deffely said the naming of Mr Dorney, in the press in a call for his resignation by members of the Dublin City Post Primary branch was a disgrace.
Mr Dorney had been criticised over the handling of the after math of the TUI ballot which rejected the £66.7 million pay, and conditions offer under the Programme for Competitiveness and Work (PCW).
"The way that this professional, diligent and honourable employee of the TUI was treated should bring shame on those who instigated it," said Mr Deffely.
He added that it was "unacceptable and incompatible with, trade union fairness to personalise some members' grievances in a, way which put the reputation of, our general secretary at risk. We would not allow any VEC, school or college management to do so to our members."
Mr Dorney, a former vocational school teacher, is a former TUI president and has been the union's general secretary since 1982.