In a national ballot, over 98% of members of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) have voted to engage in industrial action, up to and including strike action, over the failure of the Department of Education and Youth to pay a 1% salary increase due as part of a set of Senior Cycle Redevelopment Implementation Support Measures that TUI members accepted.
TUI members voted in May 2025 to accept implementation measures of Senior Cycle that were negotiated by the Union with the Department of Education and Youth.
One key measure was the payment of a 1% salary increase payable from 1st September 2025, 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:
‘With this overwhelming mandate for industrial action, our members have made clear their justified anger on this blatant breach of an agreement that they accepted and expected to be honoured.
The failure to honour the agreement is deeply regrettable and poses serious questions around the Government’s actual commitment to the process of Senior Cycle redevelopment.
The Union’s Executive Committee will decide later this week what industrial action will be taken by members involved in Senior Cycle redevelopment.
As we previously made clear, the campaign may involve as an initial measure the suspension of involvement and co-operation with all elements of Additional Assessment Components (AACs) practical and project-based assessments that form part of the Senior Cycle redevelopment process.’
National pay agreement ballot still taking place
‘Separately, in coordination with the other public service unions, we are currently 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.’