Four out of five teachers support strike

Four out of five teachers backed a mass walk-out on November 2, it has emerged.

Schools across the country are set to close for one day later this month after 65,000 teachers voted for a crippling strike.

The country’s four main teaching unions blamed the action on unprecedented threats to pay, pensions and working conditions.

“Teachers, lecturers and other public sector workers are being treated as if they are somehow responsible for causing the crisis in the public finances,” a joint statement read.

“They are angry at how their sector has already suffered severe cutbacks, both in terms of teacher and lecturer job losses as well as financial support for schools and colleges.

“These have had a hugely detrimental effect on the most vulnerable students in their communities and on working conditions of teachers.”

The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI), Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) and Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) revealed results of their ballots for industrial action today.

The Irish Federation of University Teachers already had a mandate for strike action. All teaching ranks will be involved in the walk-out, including principals.

An ASTI spokeswoman said: “Schools will be closed on that day.

“Teachers do not want to take industrial action. They want to be in their classrooms teaching the students and not out on the streets or on the picket lines.

“It’s quite rare for teachers to be taking industrial action.”

The unions said teachers are hurt at being vilified as public servants by certain sections of society and said they have already taken a pay cut through the pension levy introduced earlier in the year.

The joint statement added: “The results of the ballots undertaken by the teacher unions are a signal to the Government that singling out teachers and other public sector workers is unacceptable.

“An alternative approach to economic recovery must be adopted which ensures that the burden is shared fairly, the vulnerable are protected and that vital public services are maintained.”

The unions said the Government should be looking at alternatives to cutting services to save money between now and November 24.