College lecturers seek legal advice on pay cuts

The union representing university teachers is to seek legal advice to establish whether legislation imposing pay cuts on public servants is constitutional.

The Irish Federation of University Teachers is to commission a senior counsel to examine the legislation which would cut the pay of public servants who do not sign up to the terms of the Haddington Road agreement.

“We believe there are constitutional implications for the legislation because to our knowledge it is the first time that the treatment of employees, including the salary, will be dictated by their membership or non-membership of a trade union as opposed to the work they do or grade they hold,” said Mike Jennings, IFUT general secretary.