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.