The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has commended its members for the unequivocal message that their overwhelming mandate for industrial action gave after today’s publication of a circular letter authorising payment of an overdue 1% salary increase - backdated to 1st September 2025 - for post-primary teachers. Click here to download circular letter 74/2026.
The publication follows Monday’s announcement of the result of a national ballot of relevant TUI members over the issue which gave a massive mandate for industrial action, up to and including strike action.
In the ballot, over 98% had voted to engage in a campaign of industrial action over the failure to pay the outstanding 1% increase. The increase was due under local bargaining, (with a further 2% due under the next succeeding national pay agreement) in return for co-operation with Senior Cycle redevelopment. This is now over a year overdue.
Separately, the union is balloting members for industrial action over the failure of Government to provide the basis for negotiations for a new national agreement.
Speaking today, TUI President Anthony Quinn said:
‘We commend our members for the unequivocal message that they gave to the Department with the emphatic result of the ballot in relation to the unacceptable delay in the payment of this 1%.
With the overwhelming mandate for industrial action that they provided, our members made clear their justified anger on this blatant breach of an agreement that they accepted and expected to be honoured. Their willingness to take industrial action was crystal clear and absolutely effective.
We now note that the overdue circular letter sanctioning payment has issued and we will insist that employers process this as soon as is possible.’
National pay agreement ballot still taking place
‘Separately, in coordination with the other public service unions, we are balloting our members for industrial action over the failure of Government to provide the basis for negotiations for a new national agreement. Similar to our colleague education unions, should members provide the mandate through the ballot, our Executive Committee may direct members to withdraw from activities such as the Croke Park hours, and members would also take part in the strike action planned for 14th October, and the second strike day planned for 21st October, should it be required.’