Thousands of teachers protest in Dublin

More than 5,000 teachers angered by possible budget cuts staged a protest outside the Department of Education during today's national strike.

The Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) claimed the public sector walkout sent a clear message to Government that workers wanted meaningful talks on an equitable plan for economic recovery.

Sheila Nunan, incoming general secretary of the primary teachers' union, called on members to ignore attempts to divide and conquer workers.

She told the crowd on Marlborough Street, in Dublin's north inner city, that crude attempts to separate public and private sector workers would fail.

"Efforts to pitch the low paid against average paid workers will equally fail," said Ms Nunan.

"The agenda of trying to set the unemployed against those with jobs is also doomed to failure.

"The INTO wants a fair solution to this crisis, one that protects employment, homes, services and salaries."

The union, which claimed up to 1,500 primary teachers joined the march, maintained the day demonstrated the unity by workers from all unions.

Meanwhile ASTI, which represents 18,000 teaching staff in secondary schools, said teachers do not want to be on strike.

But general secretary John White warned further industrial action looks likely if Government refuses to listen to almost a quarter of a million public sector workers.

"Teachers don't want this strike. Public servants don't want this strike. But the Government has failed to discuss with us a fair way of dealing with the economic crisis," said Mr White.

"Around 1,000 second-level teachers lost their jobs or had their hours cut in September. Many newly qualified teachers cannot find work in teaching.

"Teachers are well aware of the impact of the recession on the communities they work in. They know colleagues, family members, friends and parents of pupils they teach who have lost their jobs or had their working hours cut."

Mr White claimed unions have offered a fair and workable alternative which seeks to ensure the burden of recovery is spread, vital public services are protected, private sector workers, public sector workers and their families are protected.

"A major plank of the unions' plan for economic recovery is addressing the job crisis and protecting the unemployed," he added.

"While teachers are anxious to get back to their classrooms tomorrow, further industrial action may be the only way of convincing the Government that a quarter of a million workers, their families and many others want a fairer way."