Members of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action, up to and including strike action, over the failure of Government to provide the basis for negotiations for a new national agreement. The union announced this evening that members have voted by a margin of 98.4% to 1.6% to back a campaign of industrial action in conjunction with our colleague public sector unions.
TUI represents over 23,000 members in Post-Primary, Further and Higher Education.
Notice will now be served to employers and TUI members will commence industrial action from Monday, 12th October by not co-operating with emails, calls, etc outside of working hours, and, in second level schools, withdrawing from activities such as the Croke Park hours.
Members will also engage in the all-out strike action planned for Wednesday, 14th October, and the second strike day planned for Wednesday, 21st October, should it be required.
Speaking in relation to the ballot result this evening, TUI President Anthony Quinn said: ‘As a consequence of the worsening cost-of-living crisis, it is becoming more and more difficult for the majority of workers to maintain even a basic standard of living. They are struggling on a daily basis with the ever-increasing prices of essential outgoings such as food, fuel, rent and mortgages.’
‘In this context, the failure of Government to engage properly with unions around a new pay agreement is utterly unacceptable, and the mandate returned by our members makes this abundantly clear.’
TUI General Secretary Michael Gillespie said: ‘TUI members have given an overwhelming mandate for industrial action and all public service unions are absolutely united in their approach on this critical issue.’
‘We urge the Government to engage meaningfully with union representatives to negotiate a fair pay agreement for public servants. Should they fail to do so, our campaign of industrial action, emphatically endorsed by membership, will continue.’
Notice will now be served to the relevant employers and detailed FAQs on all aspects of the industrial action will be circulated to workplaces and uploaded on the TUI website.