Students face exam lockout as school staff vote for strike

Neans McSweeney

More than 80% of staff at Kilkenny City Vocational School have voted for a one-day stoppage at their school on health and safety grounds and in the interest of safeguarding the jobs of permanent and temporary staff.

The ballot result has been sent to the Teachers Union of Ireland for ratification next Monday night and if passed, the Vocational Education Committee for the region could be served with strike notice within days.

TUI general secretary Jim Dorney said that the situation at the school was unique. The school, which has about 370 students, has been the subject of an independent inquiry. But the results of that investigation have not been made public because of a protracted legal battle.

“It is unacceptable that something is not being done to ameliorate the situation at the school. The result of the ballot will be discussed at our executive meeting on Monday night, the eve of our congress, and we will have to go through the processes as outlined under Sustaining Progress before action can be taken,” said Mr Dorney.

Issues at the school which spurred the ballot include the perceived failure of management to deal with issues of organisation, a spokesperson for the union said. The other major concern voiced by the teachers are alleged health and safety issues and the perceived vulnerability of part-time teachers working there.

The final part of their claim surrounds the security of all teaching jobs in the city vocational schools, Ormonde College and Coláiste Pobail Osraí.

A damaging report by an independent consultant into Kilkenny City Vocational School is the subject of High Court proceedings. An injunction has been granted to school principal Cathy McSorley against County Kilkenny VEC, restraining members of the committee from discussing the contents of a 91-page document, entitled, A School in Crisis, at any of their meetings.

The matter is back before the High Court later this month when it is expected to come to a conclusion.