TUI members reject proposed Public Service Stability Agreement

 

Members of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) have voted emphatically to reject the proposed Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 in a national ballot by a margin of 87% to 13%, on a turnout of 52%

With particular reference to pay inequality, in a simultaneous ballot members mandated, by a margin of 81% to 19% (turnout 52%), a campaign of industrial action, up to and including strike action, to secure a fair and sustainable resolution.

The Union’s Executive Committee had recommended rejection of the proposed agreement because it would effectively copper-fasten a system of pay inequality for its three- year duration.

Speaking on 14th September, TUI President Joanne Irwin said:

‘Throughout the negotiations that led to this proposed agreement, TUI clearly and unambiguously identified the issue of pay equality for those appointed after 1st January 2011 as being of primary importance.

It is morally wrong that two colleagues are placed on significantly different pay scales although carrying out the same work. This constitutes unacceptable discrimination against those employed after 1st January 2011. Furthermore, additional cuts to allowances in 2012 means that new entrant teachers have been subject to more severe cuts than other new entrants to the public service.

TUI has prioritised and campaigned on this issue and some important progress has been made. However, under the proposals, the issue of new entrant pay would not be further examined until 2018, with application of any outcome no sooner than 2021. Members have emphatically decided that this block on further progress for the next three years is completely unacceptable.

Members have also given a strong mandate for a campaign of industrial action on this issue, up to and including strike action, and the Union’s Executive Committee will decide on the usage of this mandate in due course.

We will bring this ballot result to a meeting of the ICTU’s Public Services Committee (PSC) next week. Should the agreement be accepted by an aggregate vote of affiliated unions, TUI will, as it has previously done, make a sovereign decision. It is longstanding policy that the union will not be bound by an aggregate vote of unions of the PSC in matters affecting terms and conditions of employment.’

Two-tier system damaging to teaching profession and education system

‘The two-tier pay system is already having severely negative effects. Pay discrimination undermines the morale of the profession, which leads to a churn of teachers and lecturers and a fractured service for students. We are aware of cases where there are few or no applicants for posts in certain subject areas such as Irish, Home Economics, Modern Languages and the Sciences. As a result, schools are experiencing difficulties in ensuring continuity of provision across these subject areas.’

‘Many graduates, who may formerly have chosen teaching, are now choosing options where they can enter the workforce directly after their four-year degree - rather than undertaking the additional two-year Professional Master of Education (PME) required to teach at second-level in Ireland. These graduates commence their career earlier, usually on full-time contracts and often at higher starting salaries than are available to teachers.’

Resolution of pay inequality must be accelerated

‘As a moral imperative and in order to protect teaching as profession, a fair and sustainable resolution of the issue of pay inequality must be accelerated, not delayed.’ 

 

Earlier posts

TUI is strongly recommending that members vote ‘NO’ to reject the proposed Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 in a national ballot.

Regrettably, the proposed agreement does not appropriately the discriminatory pay rates imposed on those who have entered the profession since 1st January 2011.

In a second simultaneous ballot, the Union is strongly recommending that members vote ‘YES’ to engage in a campaign of industrial action

Ballot papers will be posted from TUI Head Office on Monday, August 28th. On the same day, a special edition of TUI News a copy of the agreement will also be posted in hard copy to members.

Completed ballot papers must be returned to auditors Deloitte by 5pm on Thursday, September 14th

Click here to download the TUI News ballot special.

Click here to download the proposed Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020

Keep an eye on the TUI website and social media channels for updates and information videos.


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