I’m staying in my €100,000 a year job, says Lennon

ASTI General Secretary Charlie Lennon has vowed to face down his opponents when a debate on his continued leadership takes place at a special meeting scheduled for next month.

Hardliners in the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland want Mr Lennon to step down, as they are unhappy with his role as chief negotiator in the teachers’ pay dispute which was resolved after three years of disruption.

Demands for a 30% pay rise failed, but they subsequently voted to accept a 20% increase under benchmarking and social partnership in April. Mr Lennon’s detractors in the 17,000-strong union have called for the establishment of a sub-committee to examine his performance in the pay negotiations.