The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has called for immediate engagement between unions and Government on the issue of pay equality. TUI members voted by a margin of 87% to 13% to reject the proposed Public Service Stability Agreement on the basis that it would stall further progress on pay equality for at least three years. In addition, members mandated a campaign of industrial action to secure resolution of this critical issue.
The Public Services Committee (PSC) of the Irish Congress of Trade Union voted today by a margin of 80% to 20% to accept the proposed agreement. However, it is TUI’s longstanding policy that it will not be bound by an aggregate vote of unions of the PSC in matters affecting terms and conditions of employment. It is for the TUI itself to determine whether or not its members will be covered by the agreement.
This afternoon, TUI President Joanne Irwin said that, ‘immediate engagement with Government on the issue of pay equality between unions and Government is urgently required.’
‘We note the overall position of the PSC, but it is our longstanding policy that we will make our own sovereign decision on matters affecting terms and conditions of employment and not be bound by an aggregate vote of unions. It is for the TUI itself to determine whether or not its members will be covered by the agreement.’
‘The two-tier pay system is causing serious damage to the teaching profession and the education system by undermining morale in staffrooms around the country and making it increasingly difficult for schools to employ teachers in certain subject areas.’
‘There is strong anecdotal evidence that many graduates are choosing options where they can enter the workforce after their four-year degree - rather than undertaking the additional two-year Professional Master of Education (PME) required to teach at second-level in Ireland. These graduates commence their career earlier, usually on full-time contracts and often at higher starting salaries than are available to teachers.’
‘The position of TUI members on this is crystal clear, regardless of whether they started teaching before or after 2011. A resolution to pay inequality must be accelerated, not delayed for another three years.’