Sir, - We write concerning your Editorial of April 29th, articles by Sean Flynn and Emmet Oliver on the same date, and an article by Sean Flynn on May 20th. These articles and your Editorial were discussed at a recent central executive meeting of ASTI.
It is the view of the central executive council that the Editorial and articles in question are an attack on the presidency of the ASTI. The president is the first officer of the union and any attack on the office of the presidency is an attack on the 16,000 members of the ASTI. The articles and Editorial seek to convey the impression that the president is promoting her own agenda and that she does not have the backing of the membership. Emmet Oliver erroneously suggested that it is the president of the ASTI who makes policy and that she alone is pushing a 30 per cent pay claim. Your readers should be informed that according to the rules and constitution of the ASTI, convention and the central executive council decide on ASTI policy.
ASTI is particularly concerned that your newspaper is putting an undue focus and emphasis on internal issues in ASTI. Emmet Oliver's articles of April 29th refer to an incident that took place during a private session of convention. Sean Flynn on May 20th devoted an entire article to internal ASTI business. ASTI objects to this type of intrusive media coverage. The central executive council absolutely rejects the headline "ASTI president accuses staff of discrediting her" (The Irish Times, May 20th).
The president works democratically to promote the policies and aims of ASTI and works in a consensual manner to achieve this. It is grossly unfair to suggest otherwise.
ASTI notes with interest that the attack on the president began with ASTI policy decisions regarding pursuit of our 30 per cent pay claim. We can only conclude that your newspaper may be seeking to portray the ASTI negatively and to mobilise public opinion against us.
ASTI will not be deflected from pursuit of its just pay claim and ask you to ensure that your coverage of ASTI issues is fair and accurate. - Yours, etc.,
Don McCluskey, President-Elect, Michael Ward, Treasurer, Catherine Fitzpatrick, Vice-President, On Behalf of the Central Executive Committee, ASTI, Winetavern Street, Dublin 8.