Separate negotiations for teachers

Teacher unions will be asked to separate talks early next week after their ballots on industrial action finish, Labour Relations Commission chief Kieran Mulvey has said.

However, while the largest, the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO), said it would consider any invite to further discussions, the positions of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland and Teachers’ Union of Ireland are unclear.

Following Mr Mulvey’s message yesterday that he hopes to engage with unions early next week, the ASTI and TUI would only say any new information about the Croke Park II proposals was being communicated to members, and would not comment on the prospect while its ballot continues.

The TUI executive will have to decide on Friday if a motion passed by its annual congress last month precludes it from entering into talks.

The delegates instructed the executive “not to enter any further Croke Park II talks with the Government or the management side” in the sectors it represents.

While many unions have decided to ballot members for industrial action if any pay cuts are imposed without agreement, the teacher unions decided last month to hold preemptive votes.

The ASTI, INTO, and TUI had all voted strongly to reject the original Croke Park II proposals.

The presidents and general secretaries of all three told their combined 65,000 members on Monday that an overwhelming vote in favour of action, up to strike if cuts or changes to conditions are imposed, would strengthen their negotiating position if the Government “seeks seriously to engage with the education sector”.

Mr Mulvey said despite Government pressure to conclude talks with unions by Friday, he hopes to engage with teacher unions.

“They’re not in danger of being left behind, we can segment their negotiations to a particular sector and a particular group for a defined period,” he said.

“Benefits have been achieved, or adjustments have been achieved, that will assist the teachers considerably if they do return to the table and I would urge them to do that.”