The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has said that any professorships introduced in the Technological University/Institute of Technology sector must have parity of esteem with those in the traditional universities.
The union has also warned that full consultation, negotiation and agreement in relation to the new grade are essential, and that a 1% pay increase under the latest pay agreement’s local bargaining provision as per an existing TUI claim in relation to the grade’s introduction must be applied.
Earlier today, Minister James Lawless TD announced the Government’s intention to introduce the grade to the sector.
Speaking this afternoon, TUI General Secretary Michael Gillespie said
‘The TUI’s Executive Committee notes the Government’s decision to permit the recruitment of professorships in the Technological University and Institute of Technology sector. Our Annual Congress last year affirmed that any professorships introduced must have full parity of esteem with professorships in traditional universities and that the TUI must be fully consulted on their implementation.’
‘The TUI Executive Committee demands that the 1% Local Bargaining provision under the Public Service Agreement 2024–2026 be applied to all academic, teaching and researcher grades in TUs and IoTs from 1st September 2025 in return for our members’ cooperation with the introduction of professorships. In this regard, the union has already submitted a claim.’
‘In the absence of consultation, negotiation and agreement on the introduction of the professorship grade to the sector and agreement of the terms and conditions associated with such positions in return for payment of the 1% under the national pay agreement, the TUI will withhold all cooperation with the introduction of professorships in the sector and will ballot members for industrial action, up to and including strike action.’