Teachers in strike threat over plan for 12-month class schedule
In a formal response to Mr Quinn’s plan for a 12-month class schedule, which means some teachers will work over summer and take other months off instead, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland said what it believes is an attack on its 16,000-strong membership’s terms and conditions will not be implemented without a fight.
Under the Labour TD’s proposed policy, the further education system will be extended from the traditional September to May schedule to an all-year schedule.
The plan, which the minister has stressed is still in its early stages and remains open to negotiation, is directly linked to the imminent replacement of Fás with the Solas organisation.
While it will not see individual teachers work 12 months of the year, it will allow for courses to be provided during the summer months — meaning affected teachers will work a nine-month schedule that differs from the current system.
In an emergency motion put to the union’s 400 delegates on the final day of its annual general meeting, the union voted in favour of fighting the move.
The motion gave permission to the union’s executive committee to “protect members’ terms and conditions, including the agreed academic calendars, by all means including industrial action up to an including strike action”.
After listening to an outcry from delegates over the issue, TUI president Gerard Craughwell said the stance is now union policy. He added that if the minister wants to persist with the move, he should consider making new jobs available for the summer months which will require their own salaries.
On Wednesday, Mr Quinn told delegates the move is needed to make better use of resources.
“In our training centres, year-round provision has always been the norm. But this has not been the case in the further-education sector. If the focus on this sector is on creating the opportunities which our people need, this must change.”
