ASTI defeats motion to rejoin talks

A debate calling on the ASTI to re-join talks on supervision and substitution has been defeated at the annual conference in Bundoran.

Teachers in favour of re-joining the negotiations were heckled by their colleagues for suggesting that it's in the teachers' interests to take part in the Government negotiations.

ASTI members have been refusing to supervise or substitute in classes since March 4 - in pursuit of a better pay deal.

The secondary school teachers rejected the Government offer of €34 per hour, and decided not to enter into talks on the issue until their claim for a 30% pay rise is dealt with.

However, an emergency motion before the annual conference tried to row back this decision.

On one side, those who want to re-enter talks say unqualified persons carrying out these duties is de-professionalising teaching, and is taking away money from teachers.

On the other side, teachers say they must hold firm on the issue.

They say the fact that contingency plans are costing the Government money, is the Government's problem.

The motion was defeated to cheers from the audience, and the ASTI will remain outside the negotiations.