Retired teachers - Having it both ways

THE teachers’ unions begin their annual conferences in the next few days and it is expected that pay, pensions and conditions of employment, especially for new teachers, will dominate the agendas.

From this year, new entrants to the profession at second level face a 10% pay cut plus a decision that they must begin their careers at the bottom of the pay scale. This will mean a further 4% cut. New entrants will also have to pay more for a reduced pension.

In effect, this means a two-tier pay scheme, a situation that has existed in many private sector firms for well over a decade. There will be rumblings about the Croke Park deal too, though no great change is expected in the unions’ commitment to this process.

It would be very welcome if the unions expressed support for the legislation that precludes schools employing retired teachers as substitute teachers except in the most limited of circumstances.

These teachers already enjoy pensions far better than many of their peers and by taking this work they deny newly qualified teachers the opportunity to earn a living and serve the society that has funded their education. They can’t have it both ways.