ASTI rejection of Labour Court proposals ‘appalling’

THE Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland was in further turmoil last night after the leadership rejected Labour Court recommendations to get its house in order over relations with staff.

The union’s standing committee voted by 12-8 to reject this week’s ruling on the grounds that it had not heard their side of the dispute as the employer.

There is growing feeling among many of the ASTI’s 56 branches that internal disputes are preventing elected officers from representing members properly on education and pay issues.

The officers did not attend last month’s Labour Court hearing on legal advice that they might breach High Court orders in relation to an injunction stopping them probing allegations against general secretary Charlie Lennon.

The Labour Court cited incidences of bullying and threats against staff, failure to observe industrial relations procedures and non-payment of expenses. Its report said staff are entitled to a workplace free from constant fear or threat from elected individuals.

A motion to accept the Labour Court recommendations was defeated at yesterday’s meeting but the committee voted unanimously to pay all expenses owed to staff.

SIPTU and the National Union of Journalists, who represent the ASTI staff, said the decision by a trade union employer to reject the Labour Court and its recommendations was appalling.

In such circumstances, employees might strongly favour taking industrial action but SIPTU official Patricia King said all options are being considered.

“The staff are personally insulted at the way this is being dealt with and we have asked to meet the ASTI next week to establish what their rejection of the recommendations means,” she said.

“These people have to understand that they have to treat their staff properly,” said Ms King.

ASTI president Pat Cahill said he and the other officials are willing to meet staff unions but insisted that legal advice had prevented them from being at the Labour Court.

“We have industrial relations procedures and an anti-bullying statement and they are both complied with fully,” he said.

But lLast night, Cork South branch chairman Michael Evans said serious questions must be asked about the elected officials.

“A trade union should be beyond reproach in dealing with its staff but our leaders don’t seem willing to abide by industrial relations procedures.

“Whoever was responsible for the decision not to attend the Labour Court should resign,” he said.

The Sligo branch passed a no-confidence motion in Mr Cahill, vice-president Susie Hall and honorary treasurer Patricia Wroe, and further branch meetings next week are expected to debate similar motions.