Teachers seeking 'substantial' pay rise - ASTI
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Loading... - Lille Bain
- 19 Apr 2022
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Teachers are seeking a "substantial" pay rise due to cost of living increases, ASTI General Secretary Kieran Christie has said.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland ahead of the ASTI’s annual conference in Cork, Mr Christie said the amount being sought will be based on the outcome of negotiations under the Public Service Agreement with the Government.
However, he said the increase would be in the region of 6% to 8%, in line with cost of living increases, adding that industrial action is not being ruled out.
"We are seeking an increase in relation to pay to compensate for that [cost of living] and the truth of the matter is that the planned increases on top of the ineffectual increases we've had over the last couple of years won't cut it, and we need a substantial pay rise to compensate for that, and to put teaching back on an even keel."
Minister for Education Norma Foley will address the ASTI conference this afternoon.
Before that she addressed primary school teachers in Killarney this morning.
The teachers' Easter conferences have been held online for the past two years, but this year they return to their traditional in-person format.
TUI warns of recruitment crisis in schools
The TUI is warning that pay inequalities among teachers is leading to a recruitment and retention crisis in schools.
The union will make renewed calls for the issue to be addressed at its annual congress.
The TUI says that pay discrimination experienced by teachers appointed from 2011 onwards is inflicting severe damage on morale.
"It has led to a teacher recruitment and retention crisis at second level that is making it increasingly difficult for schools to fill teaching vacancies," according to the TUI.
"An already acute problem has been exacerbated by significant increases in the cost of living and in some areas by the severe scarcity of affordable housing."
Delegates will also hear concerns about Leaving Cert reform.
The TUI says that while it welcomes elements of the current plan, State certification and external assessment must be retained.
Other issues to be discussed over the course of the three-day conference include the legacy of Covid-19, third-level funding and concerns over increasing workloads.
Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris will tell TUI delegates about plans to bring proposals on the future funding for higher education to the Cabinet in the coming days.
Mr Harris will say he will expect changes in return for additional investment, including a reduction in the student/lecturer ratio and new pathways between further and higher education.
Mr Harris will also speak about a new hub to be operational from next week which will coordinate assistance for students from Ukraine who wish to continue their third level studies in Ireland.
The conference will be addressed by Minister Foley tomorrow.
Teaching 'no longer seen as attractive'
ASTI President Eamon Dennehy will tell his union's conference that teaching is no longer seen as attractive, resulting in a recruitment crisis in the profession.
500 teachers will attend the conference, which begins this afternoon in Cork.
They will debate motions on addressing cost of living increases, pension entitlements and Leaving Cert reform.
But pay will be the central theme, with the first motion to be debated calling for a ballot on industrial action unless teachers are granted a pay increase to offset cost of living increases.
The motion also calls for a common pay scale for all teachers. Read More...
