"Totally Avoidable” – Wexford TD Hits Out As Teachers Begin Industrial Action

Primary and secondary schools across Wexford and the country are facing disruption from today as teachers begin industrial action over delays in securing a new public sector pay agreement.

Members of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation and the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland have commenced a work-to-rule.

For some schools, that will mean disruption to early drop-offs and late collections, as INTO members withdraw from pre- and post-school supervision linked to Croke Park hours.

Teachers will also refrain from attending some staff meetings and formal parent-teacher meetings outside normal school hours.

ASTI members are also refusing to cooperate with Croke Park hours, meetings outside normal working time, and some phone, email and other electronic communication.

Members of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland are due to begin similar industrial action from Monday, October 12th.

The action comes after more than 100,000 public sector workers began work-to-rule measures last week, with wider strike action planned for October 14th.

Public sector unions have accused the Government of failing to make meaningful progress on a new pay deal following the expiry of the previous agreement on June 30th.

Wexford Labour TD George Lawlor says the dispute was avoidable and has accused the Government of failing to show leadership.“This action has been totally avoidable. The Minister has known for a very long time that the pay deal that ended in June needed to be renewed.”

Deputy Lawlor said Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers now needs to make a greater effort to bring all sides together.

“It’s a lack of leadership on the Government that has brought us to this point and Minister Jack Chambers simply has to go the extra mile to get all the sides around the table if we’re not to have a winter of discontent amongst the entire public service.”

He said public servants deserve what he described as respect and fair treatment and rejected the idea that unions should enter negotiations without firm demands.

“The notion that unions are expected to go into talks carrying blank pages is simply ludicrous.”

Deputy Lawlor said unions are entitled to represent their members strongly and called on the Minister and his officials to get talks underway urgently.

The Government has said it is willing to enter negotiations but will not accept preconditions or a predetermined outcome.

Minister Jack Chambers has described the industrial action as unfair on the public, saying the Government remains willing to engage with unions directly or through the Workplace Relations Commission.