Teachers and lecturers are prepared to take their fair share of pain in the current economic climate but the proposed cuts are disproportionate and selectively applied. The union also warned that public sector cuts have a hugely negative knock on effect for all of society.

Speaking today, TUI General Secretary Peter MacMenamin said:

“Public sector workers are today drawing a line in the sand.

It is a quarter of a century since teacher unions have been united in strike action such as this, so it is not an action that we are in any way taking lightly. In fact, we were very reluctant to do so. Teachers and lecturers are taking this action because we have never before faced such a serious threat to our pay, pensions and terms and conditions of employment.

We estimate that 1,000 teachers have lost jobs at second level alone over the last twelve months as a result of changes to the staffing schedule and other cutbacks. All teachers also took a unilateral pay cut of around 7% earlier this year by way of the so-called pension levy. In addition, a 3% pay rise effective from September 2009 was not paid. Many part-time teachers have been hit with both a pay cut and a reduction in hours, leaving them in a situation where they are struggling to meet modest financial commitments.
Teachers, lecturers and other public sector workers are being treated as if they are somehow responsible for causing the crisis in the public finances. We are hurt by our constant and sustained vilification by certain commentators.

We are not saying that we as public sector workers should not take some pain in the current situation. We are prepared to take our fair share but the proposed cuts are disproportionate and selectively applied.

Public sector workers nurse the sick back to full health, educate our children or put the safety of others before that of themselves as members of the Gardai or fire service, yet they have been tarred with a brush that labels them a burden on the rest of Irish society. It is a false and insulting label and a clear attempt by some to drive a wedge between public and private sector workers.

In line with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), we believe that there is a better, fairer way forward which does not involve singling out public sector workers or dismantling vital public services. A progressive taxation system would ensure that those who can most afford it pay the most, and those who cannot take the least pain. In a recent Irish Times article, Garret Fitzgerald estimated that we are under-taxing in comparison to the US and other European countries by about €4 billion per year, but it is clear that further destructive cutbacks are the only option on the Government’s one item menu.

Public servants have already saved the taxpayer €1.3 billion in 2009 through the so-called pension levy, a recruitment embargo and pay freeze. It is estimated that these very measures will contribute a staggering €2.4 billion next year before any new savings.

We have huge sympathy for those private sector workers - family, friends and neighbours among them - who have already lost their jobs, but we believe that we have already been targeted and that further public sector cuts will only serve to damage the country in the medium and long term.

Strike action is about taking a stand against this sustained campaign against our conditions of service and sending a clear message to Government that enough is enough.

Further public sector asset-stripping will ultimately result in cuts to the vital services that enhance so many lives, and public service pay cuts also have a knock on effect on the local community in terms of reduced spending in local shops and businesses. Everybody will be affected, and the most vulnerable will suffer the most.

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