Emotions run high as pay deal narrowly backed

AS primary teachers narrowly backed their union leaders’ endorsement of the public service pay deal, Tánaiste Mary Coughlan yesterday promised she would not be “taking a machete” to teacher contracts.

The debate among INTO delegates on the controversial public service and reform deal was held in private as emotions ran high over the proposals, which would require an extra hour’s work per week and greater availability for supervision and substitution.

There is also rising concern that the proposed review of teachers’ contracts from primary to third-level could give the Department of Education a carte-blanche to change their terms and conditions, as well as weaken pensions for future entrants to the profession.