ASTI have announced nationwide strike

ASTI have announced that teachers in second level schools across the country will be participating in a public service wide day of strike action.

The strike, which is set to take place on October 14, is due to the government's failure to engage meaningfully on a new public service pay agreement following the previous deal's expiration on June 30.

The strike will be accompanied by the placing of pickets on all schools where ASTI members work.

Ahead of this, up to 20,000 ASTI members commenced industrial action on Monday, October 5 as part of the ay dispute.

The ASTI’s campaign of industrial action begins on UNESCO World Teachers’ Day, an initiative which aims to highlight the importance of protecting the status of the teaching profession, including the working conditions and pay of teachers.

This initial phase of industrial action will involve ASTI members withdrawing from activities such as the Croke Park Hours from Monday, October 5. Teaching and learning will continue as normal.

ASTI president Richie Bell spoke on the action, “Teachers’ pay has fallen significantly behind inflation.

“ASTI members have strongly endorsed the public service wide campaign of industrial action, including an escalation to strike action, with the objective of securing credible talks with the Government which address the pay-inflation gap experienced by teachers and other public service workers.”

ASTI General Secretary, Linda Kelly also commented, “Today, UNESCO World Teachers’ Day, we should be celebrating the contribution of teachers and schools to society.

“Instead, ASTI members begin industrial action to highlight the disconnect between the Government’s approach and the daily realities faced by teachers and their families due to cost of living pressures.”