ASTI industrial action set to begin

Schools and students face disruption from tomorrow as industrial action by the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) commences.

With work meetings outside school hours banned and up to 16,000 teachers under union instructions not to do unpaid administration, the main pressure will be on school management and principals. Some class trips during school time could also be cancelled because of uncertainty over supervision arrangements, as ASTI says teachers are no longer obliged to cover for colleagues absent on school business.

Any meetings moved into school hours could lead to reduced class time at the 500 schools where ASTI teachers work, although management bodies are recommending that boards postpone for now any rearranged meetings.