The ASTI has suspended the one day strikes expected next week, pending the outcome of preliminary talks with the Government. The decision was taken this afternoon after a three-hour meeting of the union's Standing Committee.
The preliminary negotiations that are due to start next week are being referred to at ASTI headquarters as "talks about talks" their aim is to find a framework to deal with the teachers pay claim. The ASTI's Charlie Lennon acknowledged today that this would be a difficult and complex task as any deal for his union will have implications for the other two teachers’ unions who have remained within the partnership framework. The ASTI agreed unanimously to enter these talks last night after assurances that members would have docked pay returned to them. However, the union set a deadline of one week and today they said that the decision to defer the strike would be reviewed by its Central Executive Committee when that week is up.
The Labour Relations Commission, which will oversee the talks, has welcomed the decision. However, they have expressed concern at the suggestion that a deadline has been set for an outcome. This evening the commission said that it was not possible to predict a date for completion. A spokesperson said that any attempt to set a time limit now would not be helpful.
The National Parents' Council described the ASTI's decision to suspend its industrial action as a start but not a solution. The National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals said that it was delighted that some mechanism had been found for initiating talks.
