Members of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) have voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking industrial action, up to and including strike action, over what the union described as the Government’s failure to pay an agreed salary increase.
In a national ballot, over 98% of members voted to take action.
The TUI said the Department of Education and Youth has failed to pay a 1% salary increase due as part of a set of Senior Cycle Redevelopment Implementation Support Measures that TUI members accepted.
The union’s Executive Committee will decide later this week what industrial action will be taken by members involved in Senior Cycle redevelopment.
“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,” said TUI President Anthony Quinn.
Separately, the TUI is balloting members for industrial action over the absence of a new public sector pay 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,” Mr Quinn said.
Public sector unions have accused the Government of failing to make a meaningful offer on pay.
The previous public sector pay deal expired on 30 June, and formal talks have yet to begin on a successor agreement.
The Department of Public Expenditure said unions and representative associations have made a decision to move to industrial action rather than engaging in substantive talks.
“It is deeply unfair on the general public for there to be significant disruption to their daily lives because unions are unwilling to sit down and engage constructively on a new agreement,” a spokesperson said.
“Officials remain ready and willing to engage and that should happen without any further delay.”
“Meaningful progress can only be achieved where both parties are open to constructive and sustained engagement, without preconditions on either side,” the Department added.
