Teachers disappointed with talks

Thousands of secondary school students appear to be destined for disruption, after talks between the teaching unions and the Minister for Education failed to reach agreement on supervision and substitution payments.

Minister Michael Woods had been trying to persuade teachers to work with people brought in specifically to supervise students.

The ASTI says it’s very disappointed with the outcome of today’s discussions.

Union president Catherine Fitzpatrick, says management had nothing new to offer her union and they will be withdrawing from voluntary supervision duties from Monday.

"It was a very disappointing meeting for us," she said, "The Minister made no concrete offer. We are very disheartened and it doesn’t seem like the Minister sees the urgency of resolving the current situation. We were told there would have to be further negotiations."

Jim Dorney of the TUI says his union can’t co-operate with people brought in to do teachers’ work.

"In schools that are manned entirely by TUI members, we will continue to work normally," he said after today’s meeting. "In joint member schools, where the unions are shared between the ASTI and TUI, TUI members will continue to work as normal except in circumstances where outside personnel are brought in to cover for striking teachers. In those cases we will not co-operate with them and will withdraw services."

A spokesman for the INTO said their union was happy with their discussions with the Minister today.

Incoming general secretary, John Carr, said he’s happy the Government is prepared to enter into a process to deal with the issues of pensionability and the issue of increased rate.