Strikes by teachers could shut schools

Autumn strikes by 65,000 teachers could force schools and colleges to shut if ballots announced by their three unions are passed.

The three main unions will conduct votes for industrial action up to strike level next month as the Government considers whether to impose pay cuts in response to public service workers’ rejection this week of the Croke Park II deal. The action would be triggered “in the event of Government proceeding unilaterally to impose salary cuts or to worsen working conditions”, they said yesterday.

A spokeswoman for Education Minister Ruairi Quinn would not comment last night, except in relation to the wider issue.