Sir, - Your editorial (February 28th) was less than honest in commenting on the position of the ASTI. The following remarks will restore balance to the argument.
ASTI chose not to enter talks on a new pay agreement as they found past agreements confining and poorly rewarding.
It is naive to present the agreement as offering 29 per cent as that includes tax changes of 10 per cent that are promised for subsequent budgets. Such changes may not apply equally to all workers.
To suggest that bench-marking is good news for teachers is nonsense, as we do not know to whom we are to be compared. Benchmarking longfingers dealing with the urgent issues that the ASTI want addressed. It is not due to report until the end of 2002 and its recommendations will only be considered for the successor to this programme.
To state that the ASTI would be well advised to listen to the other teacher unions is patronising to say the least. We met, we discussed, we disagreed. We live in a democracy and are not all bound to speak una voce.
Finally you will have to agree that the ASTI demand for 30 per cent was an inspired figure as the TDs themselves are seeking the same. The Tanaiste's old dictum, "pay peanuts, get monkeys", must surely apply to all in the public service. - Yours, etc.,
P. J. Sheehy, Regional Representative, ASTI, Gorey, Co Wexford.