Teachers defy union to accept pay deal

SECONDARY school teachers have overruled their union and voted to accept the Government’s supervision and substitution deal.

Members of the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland (ASTI) voted 59% to 41% in favour of the Government’s €38-per-hour offer. The result is a major blow to the union’s central executive council (CEC) which had recommended rejection of the package. Last year, ASTI members endorsed the supervision deal by 63% to 37%.

Last night’s result, based on a 54% turnout, brings to an end a dispute that has dragged on for almost four years and closed schools during 2001. Since ASTI members withdrew from supervision and substitution a year ago, non-teaching staff have been paid over 36 million to do the work in around 400 secondary schools.