ASTI 'should consider action to protect pensions'

THE Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) should consider industrial action to protect pension rights for future members, the union's acting general secretary John White said yesterday.

He urged ASTI members to consider rejoining the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to pursue this and other pay objectives. But elected officials have ruled out any return to ICTU, which the teachers' union decided to leave four years ago.

Government changes announced in the budget and recently enacted mean new teachers can no longer retire on full pension before the age of 65 and may have to work two or three years later before stepping down.