TUI delegates vote against imposition of Croke Park 2 deal

The Teacher's Union of Ireland (TUI) has voted overwhelmingly in favour of an emergency motion instructing its Executive Committee to withdraw from Croke Park 1 - if Croke Park 2 is imposed on its members.

The motion also calls for a ballot on strike action if the new deal is implemented and for a rally of all public sector workers against the proposals.

The vote took place this morning at the TUI conference in Galway, where Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn was greeted with silence as he took to the stage to address delegates.

Minister Quinn speaks to a delegate as he arrives at TUI conference in Galway #Newstalk #TUI pic.twitter.com/nFREBGtKMN

— Louise Kelly (@Louiseevekelly) April 3, 2013

Conference attendees spent much of today discussing emergency motions on Croke Park 2.

There are some signs of division between the union's executive and its members on their next move, but delegates are in no mood to adopt a wait and see approach and are demanding action now

The motions passed will mean TUI members will pull out of Croke Park 1 if Croke Park 2 is implemented by the Government or the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

They will also ballot for industrial action up to and including a strike, and they want to organise a rally for all public sector workers opposed to the new deal.

In addition, they're calling on the Government to impose a tax on the top 5% of high earners in Ireland and a progressive wealth tax - instead of any cuts to the public sector.

More to follow