Secondary school teachers announce 7 day strike

The first strike will take place this month.

The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) has announced that industrial action will take place in the coming weeks. This includes withdrawal from supervision and substitution. It was decided after the majority (78%) of ASTI teachers voted in favour in a ballot on Thursday. The strike is over pay disputes and will go on for 7 non-consecutive days, the first of which will be Thursday October 27th.

Speaking about the strike, ASTI President Ed Byrne said: “Recently qualified teachers spend five to six years training, including obtaining the required Master’s qualification for teaching at second-level. They are then expected to teach alongside colleagues who have completely different pay arrangements for their entire careers. The sense of injustice amongst all teachers is palpable. ASTI members are committed to achieving equal pay for equal work for all teachers.” He added: “Teachers are reluctant to take industrial action or to interrupt the running of schools in anyway. However, we have flagged our serious issues well in advance and remain available and committed to a resolution through talks without pre-conditions.”

• Wednesday, December 7th