Strikes on cards as ASTI rejects pay deal

Hundreds of secondary schools could be closed by strikes in a matter of weeks after one of the country’s largest teaching unions voted in favour of industrial action over cuts under government legislation.

However, the prospect of a united front among teaching staff ended after the second key union voted to support the Haddington Road Agreement.

The results of both votes were announced yesterday with the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) rejecting the deal.