Unions opposed to cuts are subject to law, says Kenny

Teacher unions and others that remain opposed to €300m public sector pay cut proposals will be subjected to laws cutting higher salaries and other work changes, Enda Kenny said yesterday.

He echoed earlier comments by Education Minister Ruairi Quinn as the prospect was raised of strikes at hundreds of schools and colleges by the rejection of the proposals from the Labour Relations Commission by two unions.

The executives of the Association and Secondary Teachers Ireland and the Teachers’ Union of Ireland decided on Thursday not to ballot their members on the new deal. They said that, despite concessions on cuts to higher pay, restoration of money for supervision work, and other areas, the proposals do not differ enough from February’s Croke Park II deal, already rejected in earlier votes.