Teachers in last-minute talks with Govt

Striking teachers are this evening locked in last-minute talks with the Government to work out a way of resolving their pay dispute.

It is believed that a peace formula will be put to the ASTI teachers at the Labour Relations Commission later this evening.

Today was cited as the deadline for finding a formula and it is now expected that negotiations will go late into the evening.

There are reports that the LRC mediator, Tom Pomphrett, is drafting detailed proposals which will offer the teachers a new process for pursuing their 30% pay claim.

However, the union will not have to formally take part in the Government’s benchmarking process which it is opposed to.

ASTI’s powerful executive committee will meet in Dublin and it is expected that the peace deal will be put to its 180 members.

If they vote to accept the deal, and enter into substantial negotiations, it will almost certainly lead to the suspension of the teachers’ strikes for the moment.