SIPTU backs deal but ASTI opposed
| 23 May 2013 23:11 |
| The country's largest union, SIPTU, has decided to recommend acceptance of the new public service pay and reform agreement to its members, but the ASTI and the TUI have reaffirmed their rejection of the proposals. |
| The Government has published the legislation to cut the pay and pensions of public servants. |
| The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013 is required to reduce the pay of public servants earning over €65,000, in line with the new deal, the Haddington Road Agreement. |
| The Bill also enables further cuts to high level pensions for politicians, judges, hospital consultants and top civil servants. |
| The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland and the Teachers' Union of Ireland said the new deal does not represent sufficient change from the original proposals. |
| The ASTI said it has decided not to re-ballot its members on the deal. |
| The standing committee of the union met and reaffirmed its rejection of the Croke Park II proposals. |
| It said the revised proposals did not represent a sufficient change from Croke Park II, which was emphatically rejected by all teacher unions. |
| A spokesperson said the union pointed to the two previous ballots, which represented a firm rejection of the proposals. |
| The TUI has also decided not to re-ballot members. |
| Between them, the ASTI and the TUI represent over 30,000 teachers. |
| A spokesperson for the Depeartment of Public Expenditure and Reform said Minister Brendan Howlin will stand back and let members consider the options open to them. |
| The INTO, which represents 32,000 primary school teachers, voted to recommend acceptance. |
