ASTI vote puts orals in jeopardy

A major question mark now hangs over the Leaving and Junior Cert oral exams following the rejection by the ASTI of Labour Court proposals on its pay dispute with the Government.

Teachers are to strike on six days over the next three weeks, with three of those in the middle of the week of the exams.

ASTI president Don McCluskey said the proposals are the most negative he has ever seen.

"For well over a year now, we have almost been completely ignored by the Government. We have tried everything at our disposal to get talks and it was only in the last while that talks have been initiated.

"I read that document last night and I would say that, in 30 years of trade union involvement, I have never read a more negative document."