Primary teachers say ‘yes’ to pay proposals

Primary teachers have voted by a decisive majority to accept the Haddington Road public sector pay proposals.

In the ballot counted last night, the teachers backed the deal by 63% to 37%, nearly a complete swingaround from their Croke Park II stance.

The executive of the 32,500-member Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) had recommended acceptance of the deal, saying it was an improvement on the Croke Park II proposals that members rejected in a 70-30 vote in April. It had also advised primary teachers that the pay cuts and extra work involved were better than the alternative.