Music teachers may go on strike

THOUSANDS of students at Cork School of Music (CSM) could be without lessons this month as staff prepare to issue notice of industrial action to college authorities.

The teachers at the 2,500-student school are also considering putting candidates forward for next year’s city and county council elections if plans for a proposed 60 million school have not been acted on.

The Cork Colleges Branch of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland has asked senior union officials to issue notice to Cork Institute of Technology of their refusal to teach in buildings currently being used for classes.

The 80 staff are angry at inaction on the new building planned for the site of the existing college. Since the project was given planning permission almost two years ago, classes have moved from the old school on Union Quay to a nearby hotel and more than a dozen other locations.

The strike notice of one week could be issued from TUI head office to CIT, of which the School of Music is a constituent College, within days.

Last night, a spokeswoman for CIT said institute director Dr Patrick Kelleher has offered to meet with TUI representatives at their convenience.