Colleges vote for action over merger bid

Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan has asked management at Cork and Tralee institutes of technology to keep up consultation with staff who are concerned over their planned merger.

Her message came as Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) members at the two colleges voted strongly in favour of industrial action if the proposed amalgamation goes ahead.

Of academic staff who voted, 84% at Institute of Technology Tralee (ITT) and 92% at Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) agreed to back industrial action up to strike action if the colleges proceed with a merger despite their opposition.