No ASTI strike before summer

The ASTI has said it will not be going on strike for the remainder of this year's school term if its 17,000 members vote as recommended to reject the Labour Court pay package.

General Secretary Charlie Lennon said any industrial action would involve the withdrawal of co-operation with the Dept of Education in a number of areas, including voluntary activity in schools.

He said while teachers have rejected the "hard option" of striking, there is no doubt that they want to press ahead with some sort of protest.

It is expected that the ASTI will begin all-out strike action in the autumn if the dispute is still ongoing at that time.