The Executive Committee is recommending that members Vote ‘Yes’ in a national ballot to accept the support measures contained within the Senior Cycle Implementation Measures document, which can be downloaded here.
Ballot papers and must be returned to the auditors, Deloitte by 5pm Thursday, 29th May.
In additional to ballot papers, a TUI News Ballot Special issued to workplaces in hard copy and can be downloaded here.
Details on the schedule of information meetings can be
found here.
The current ballot of TUI members is on the negotiated document—not on whether Senior Cycle Redevelopment (SCR) goes ahead. SCR will proceed under Ministerial instruction, regardless of the ballot outcome, and we cannot take industrial action against that instruction.
A 'No' vote will not stop SCR. What it will do is reject the 3% local bargaining increase and all other gains in the negotiated document. By voting 'Yes', we secure a collective agreement that TUI can - if breached - enforce through industrial action without risking pay increases. A 'No' vote followed by action risks losing both the 3% and the 2%. Tactically, a 'Yes' vote gives us leverage and protects our gains.
Summary of the proposals
It is important to note that there are 3 sections in this document.
Sections 1 - 4 - these are curricular changes. The TUI managed to get vital and tangible measures in these areas, but you are not being balloted on these sections. The Minister for Education has the power to prescribe the curriculum under the Education Act 1998. The Union cannot take industrial action on the prescribed curriculum. Positive measures resulting from the talks with the Department in relation to these sections include,
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LCVP will maintain its status as a programme. This is important for members who are coordinators and ensures they retain their allowance and time remittance for programme co-ordination.
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Guidelines for AACs and sample papers will be issued before implementation.
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There will be reviews of all subjects with a focus on the 40% AAC and how appropriate it is for all subjects.
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Time audits will be conducted for all subjects to see if it is possible to cover all the material and an AAC in the allotted timeframe
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Bonus marks for completing a subject through Irish will be extended to apply to AACs with a significant writing demand that have the capacity to be conducted through Irish
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Possibility of the delaying of subjects in Tranche 2 – further information will issue in relation to this
Sections 5-6 - these are the support measures for the implementation of Senior Cycle Redevelopment. You are being balloted on these sections. The measures, encompassed in section 5-6, will form a collective agreement with the Department if members accept it. These sections provide for:
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A pay increase of 3% from the Local Bargaining provision of the pay agreement.
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It should be noted that the Department has stated the two further payments under the Public Services Agreement (PSA) (i.e. 1% or €500 in February 2026 and 1% in June 2026) will not be paid if this deal is not accepted. While I understand how unpalatable this is to members, the Department are perfectly within their rights to do this as we accepted the PSA, with an 82% yes vote, and complying with Senior Cycle was one of the requirements. This means 5% of a pay increase is dependent on the acceptance of this deal and if members vote to reject the proposals, they will not get the increases.
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The introduction in the qualifying period for teachers to get a CID to 1-year
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An increase in non-whole school Croke Park Hours from 10-14. They are to be teacher-led and are on a high trust model.
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Creation of a Working Group to examine the reduction of Pupil Teacher Ratio as part of Deis Plus in line with demographic trends and to develop a Right to Disconnect policy for all our grades at second level.
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Post of Responsibility for Senior Cycle at AP1 or AP2 level depending on the size of school with time alleviation.
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Post of Responsibility for L1L2 at AP1 or AP2 level depending on the size of school with time alleviation.
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Increase and expansion in the science grant from €13 for only Physics and Chemistry to €25 for Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Ag Science.
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Establishment of the Post Primary Implementation Group which will oversee the introduction of Senior Cycle.
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The establishment of an AI Task force to design robust protocols around the ethical use of AI and monitor future developments related to AI in the education sector
Appendix - This is the largest section and contains the detailed submission from the TUI which formed the basis of the negotiations.
Please note that there is also a second ballot for industrial action in the event that this proposal is not accepted. The Executive is recommending a ‘Yes’ in both ballots.