Primary teachers prepare for ballot on strike action

THE Irish National Teachers’ Organisation will hold a series of nine meetings across the country tonight ahead of balloting primary teachers for up to three days of strikes.

The INTO executive is asking teachers to support its call for the industrial action, in response to threats to what it and other public service unions see as threats to pay, pensions and conditions of employment.

In March of this year primary teachers voted for industrial action.

However, strike action at that time was deferred to facilitate further talks with government.

The INTO said no meaningful engagement has taken place in the intervening months.

Incoming INTO general secretary Sheila Nunan said it was clear that the Government is actively considering further cuts to public sector pay and pensions in the run-up to the budget on December 9.

She said if the report of An Bord Snip Nua is implemented, teachers face longer hours, more work and salary cuts of more than €50 million a year.

Ms Nunan said the INTO would not take strike action on a unilateral basis but would work in a co-ordinated way with other public sector unions and especially the other teacher unions, ASTI IFUT and TUI.

The overall outcome of the INTO’s ballot will be known on November 16.

Ms Nunan said the decision to ballot for industrial action was not taken lightly by the INTO executive.

“Teachers are fully aware of the economic challenges facing the country and have already incurred a significant reduction in take home pay,” she said.

“However, the current challenges must not be addressed by placing an unfair and disproportionate burden on public sector workers.”

Ms Nunan said this was the context in which the INTO leadership was asking members to back the executive’s call for industrial action to resist further attacks on pay and conditions.