ASTI leadership riven with disputes

THE leadership of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland is in turmoil again with the general secretary Charlie Lennon under pressure to defend his position.

A heated argument broke out during the union’s annual convention yesterday morning, when some elements tried to bring up a proposal to scrutinise his performance.

During the ASTI’s recently resolved three-year pay dispute, hardline members believed he did not pursue their campaign strongly enough.

However, he has stood his ground despite a series of bitter and often very personalised attacks against him by certain sections of the membership.

A group of his critics asked for a special meeting in February to set up a review of Mr Lennon’s performance and obligations to the union.

It is perceived as a possible route to finding evidence that could warrant his replacement in the job, which he has held for a decade.

The union president PJ Sheehy turned down the request because of internal rules but efforts were made to raise the issue again yesterday.

Mr Sheehy made the rules clear above a barrage of heckling and slow claps from parts of the floor.

“I’m not going to tolerate behaviour such as this,” he said.

The convention then went into private session and it was decided to have the proposed review discussed by the ASTI central executive council today.

The motion seeks to establish a powerful sub-committee with access to all union documents which would report back to the council on issues that should be considered.

Mr Lennon was not making any comment on the matter last night but is expected to face a tough battle against his detractors in what could be a long and inflamed private meeting.

In addition to this latest bout of infighting, the union was dealt a further blow when a leading member effectively stepped down from his position.

Noel Buckley decided not to seek re-election as national honorary organiser because of his perception of the union’s disarray. He had served only one year in the important role, in which most officers usually serve up to five years.

“It could be argued that we are not a healthy organisation. Active members have divided into camps and engaged in a blame game,” he said.

The divisions came toward the end of what had otherwise been a productive convention for the 17,000 member union, compared to those of more recent years when the long-running pay claim dominated proceedings.