PIERCE H. PURCELL,
Sir, - Congratulations to Sean Fallon, ASTI member from Dublin 24, for his letter in your edition of January 25th. His suggestion that I should be expelled from the ASTI under Rule 103 of the union for conduct "injurious to the welfare of the Association and the interests of its members" is a fascinating one, and I look forward to defending myself robustly when the time comes. It should make for good headlines: "Rebel pensioner drummed out", or words to that effect.
On a more serious note, there are some inaccuracies in his contribution which may cause concern to teachers. He is wrong on at least two counts:
1. He writes that "no forum is needed to process the ASTI salary claim outside benchmarking, and that the ASTI only needs direct talks with a Minister who will negotiate a salary increase for secondary teachers".
It would be great if such a Minister existed. Unfortunately, he/she doesn't. Even last year, when the ASTI was full of militancy and engaged in industrial action, the Minister kept insisting that the ASTI should process its claim through benchmarking. Does Mr Fallon now seriously believe that the Minister can be persuaded to deal directly with the ASTI in the absence of any strike pressure?
2. He writes that I should "know that once you make a submission to the benchmarking body, you must accept its findings, and you thereby forfeit the right to negotiate on pay and conditions for years to come".
This is absolutely incorrect. I have checked it with ASTI head office. In addition, the National Honorary Secretary of the TUI, Mr Fergal McCarthy writes (also January 25th) that "the TUI is clear that if benchmarking doesn't deliver on the potential that we have invested in it, industrial action enters the agenda". The TUI president, John McGabhann, said something similar on RTÉ's Marian Finucane Show last Wednesday, and the INTO e-mailed a similar message to that programme the following day.
These clarifications are important. There is no way that participation in benchmarking can prevent a trade union from carrying out the basic duties of negotiating and, if necessary, organising industrial action.
These days the ASTI seems to be wasting a lot of time engaging in internal bickering and looking for scapegoats. I find it very sad that a noble trade union, which was once a tough, focused and goal-oriented body, is reduced to this. My focus and goal is a substantial salary increase for teachers, which will be reflected in my pension.
Benchmarking is nothing more than a mechanism, and not worth fighting over. - Yours, etc.,
PIERCE H. PURCELL,
David Terrace,
Clonmel,
Co Tipperary.