Teacher union told how to get house in order
The Labour Relations Commission’s Advisory Services Division (ASD) carried out the review after the Labour Court ordered the union to get its house in order last November. The court had heard complaints of bullying and stress suffered by the union’s 23 staff, but elected officers did not attend the hearing on legal advice.
In discussions with both sides, the ASD heard there was a lack of clarity of management function and structures, ineffective grievance procedures, poor workplace atmosphere and ineffective communication between staff and officers. The review involved discussions last spring with then ASTI president Pat Cahill; his successor Susie Hall; honorary treasurer Patricia Wroe and all staff members.
The ASD heard concerns about the impact of elected officers on the functioning of the office and a perceived lack of clarity around their roles. It noted that, while the honorary treasurer’s role is defined in the union’s rules and constitution, there is little clarity as to how the function operates on a day-to-day basis.
“It is our view that ASTI needs to get to a position where there is a clear understanding on the roles and functions of each of the key positions in the organisation,” says the confidential report delivered this week.
It recommends that responsibility for operation of the office and management of staff, including discipline, should be clearly vested with the general secretary. John White has held the acting general secretary’s position since Charlie Lennon stepped down from the job a year ago after a dispute with elected officers which ended in the High Court.
“There is an urgent need for all stakeholders in the organisation to consign past events to history and focus their attention on the future,” the ASD review concluded.
SIPTU and National Union of Journalists members in ASTI head office have accepted the proposals. SIPTU regional secretary Patricia King last night called on union management to do the same urgently.
The ASD report also proposed a review of grievance and disciplinary procedures.
