Major step as teachers accept report

THE Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland has taken a major step towards putting its turbulent past behind by accepting a critical report on relations between staff and the elected officers.

The move is likely to clear the way for the appointment of a general secretary to replace Charlie Lennon, who resigned from the position in controversial circumstances almost a year ago.

The union’s standing committee yesterday narrowly accepted the report of the Labour Relations Commission’s Advisory Services Division (ASD), which recommended a review of grievance procedures for staff and clearer definitions of the roles of elected officers, including the president, vice-president and honorary treasurer.

In its review of relations at ASTI head office, the ASD found a poor work atmosphere and little clarity about the functions of officers in the day-to-day running of the organisation.

It recommended that responsibility for the operation of the office and management of the 23 staff be clearly vested in the general secretary.

Given the sensitive nature of the issue, ASTI president Susie Hall declined to comment last night, except to confirm the standing committee’s acceptance of the report, which SIPTU and National Union of Journalists staff at the ASTI headquarters accepted two weeks ago.

However, it is understood Ms Hall will move ahead with the process to replace Mr Lennon, whose departure was rooted in differences with prominent members of the union since its turbulent industrial dispute which began three years earlier.

Acting general secretary John White is favoured by many members to assume the role formally, although a number of ASTI members are expected to put themselves forward, including past president Pat Cahill.

A selection committee comprising five members of the union’s central executive and the elected officers will set criteria and interview candidates for the job.

Ms Hall said she was intent on putting the past firmly behind the union when she became president in July and sources indicate she has been working hard to do so.