TUI to enter Croke Park deal talks after action vote

THE Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) is set to enter talks on the Croke Park public service pay agreement after members have voted to lift industrial action in schools and colleges.

The union had been excluded from discussions between other teacher unions and the Department of Education because of its ongoing directives, which included a ban on members taking part in parent-teacher meetings after school or offering flexibility on vacant middle management positions.

However, TUI general secretary Peter MacMenamin stressed that the 84% vote in favour of temporarily suspending industrial action does not signify acceptance by members of the Croke Park deal. They voted earlier this year against the agreement, which would guarantee no further pay cuts or compulsory redundancies in return for improved efficiencies.