ASTI members to vote on action - Teachers’ union seeks equal pay

WITH the 18,000 members of the powerful ASTI secondary teachers’ union poised to vote on whether or not to embark on yet another campaign of industrial action, the prospect of school closures has increased following Saturday’s decision to ballot more than half of the country’s second-level teachers.

This will bring an all-too-familiar sense of concern to parents and pupils, particularly those studying for critical exams which could well decide their future careers.

It also promises to be another test of the unity of this shaky government. Furthermore, it will undoubtedly be the first real test of the negotiating abilities of Richard Bruton in his role as minister for education and skills, who has expressed disappointment at the decision.