Teachers united in quest for better pay

Salary structures are at the top of the agenda at the annual conference of the National Teachers Organisation getting underway in Tralee.

800 primary school teachers attending the gathering know that a long road still lies ahead before reaching their goals.

Addressing the conference, INTO president Donal O' Lionsigh said his union's decision to have salaries assessed by the benchmarking body was the best way to go.

The three teachers' unions are clearly united in their need for an improvement in teachers' salaries although the ASTI has decided to go a different way to try to get a pay rise.

Mr O' Lionsigh said the INTO was confident that a review of teachers' salaries through the benchmarking process will meet their expectations but, he said, there must be equity between the public sector and comparable occupations in the private sector.

The Labour Court believes there is a sustainable case for more pay.

The INTO expects their partners in education to support the teachers claim.

The conference continues until Wednesday.