Primary teachers demand pay hike, with no pauses

PRIMARY teachers yesterday demanded a substantial pay hike, with no pay pause or further changes in work practices.

Cork City North delegate Alice O’Connell told the INTO congress in Kerry that calls not to pay teachers legitimate increases were not new. She recalled an era when teachers were asked to accept wage restraint, but politicians gave themselves increases at the same time.

Ms O’Connell, proposing a composite motion calling for a substantial but unspecified pay rise, said Irish primary teachers were providing top quality education.

“We’re entitled to a substantial, unshackled pay package which reflects our status as progressive, innovative, hardworking professionals,” she said.

Another Cork City North delegate, Joe McCarthy, seconding, said teachers were not being properly paid for delivering curriculum change, IT and many other innovations.

INTO general secretary John Carr said they would not give any more pay pauses. He said stealth taxes and the failure to extend tax bands had eroded teachers’ incomes.

He also stressed that the recent fall in inflation would not be used as a weapon against a fair wage increase.

“The cost of living in Ireland is the cause of hundreds of teachers leaving our cities in search of affordable housing and a decent standard of living,” he stated.

“No more demands. Pay us properly for the productivity already given.”