ASTI to remain outside Congress

THE Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland has decided to continue outside the broader trade union movement, as well as ruling against a merger with colleague teachers.

Both issues were rejected by more than two-thirds of delegates after fiery discussions at their annual convention in Limerick yesterday.

After more than three years outside the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, many ASTI members believe they would be better off taking part in social partnership and having a say in public service pay and conditions.

“It’s one thing to go on a solo run but it’s a good idea to carry the ball with you. We can’t expect support from other unions as long as we stay outside ICTU,” said Cork North member Paddy Mulcahy.

Mr Mulcahy proposed the motion to seek reaffilliation to Congress.

Fergal Canton from Kilkenny said a chilling message was sent out when the Government and social partners did not deal with them during their campaign for a 30% pay rise.

“It’s a bit like the child whose faults a teacher starts listing in the staff room. Any chance they have of improving is gone when everybody’s against them.”

Many members argued that ICTU had been completely unsupportive of ASTI’s pay claim over the last three years and they would be better off outside an organisation does not do enough for public service workers.

“The Government, IBEC and ICTU are all singing from the one hymn sheet, except ICTU is pretending to be different but then falling into line to protect the consensus,” said Fingal delegate Larry McGuinness.

ASTI honorary treasurer Patricia Wroe said the union would be better off outside Congress at least until the outcome of a challenge to the benchmarking report is known.

The secondary teachers union recently accepted a 13% rise recommended by the public service pay review, although they had not participated in the evaluation process.

The proposal to enter talks with the Teachers Union of Ireland on an amalgamation won slightly more favour, but was defeated by 246 votes to 115.

Despite suggestions that such a move could strengthen the bargaining power of teachers, particularly in national pay talks, it was clear divisions begun during the ASTI pay campaign will take a long time to heal.

“The wounds are still very sore, particularly in dual union schools where things were very tough for our members. We have a lot of common issues but the timing is not right,” said Ruth Coppinger.