The ASTI National Executive has voted overwhelmingly to enter talks at the Labour Court aimed at dealing with their 30% pay claim. The decision was taken this afternoon on a vote of 129 in favour, 30 against with 1 abstention. A proposal from the Labour Relations Commission suggested a date for a Labour Court hearing no later than 15 February, but the ASTI say that they want a hearing by 7 February and a recommendation by 26 February. They said that their planned industrial action would remain suspended during the process. But a new schedule of industrial action will be activated if the process fails.
Minister for Education and Science, Dr Michael Woods, said that he was pleased that both the ASTI and the Government teams were able to reach agreement on a way forward. Dr Woods gave credit to facilitator, Tom Pomphrett of the Labour Relations Commission, for his expertise and professionalism. "It would be inappropriate for me to make any further comment while the substantive discussions are continuing," said the Minister.
The framework for talks was completed yesterday by the Labour Relations Commission mediator and handed to the two sides at a private meeting. A meeting of the ASTI standing committee was held today, and a final vote on the proposals was taken by the union's 180-member central executive committee afterwards.
Talks about talks in the teachers' pay dispute began last Monday at the Labour Relations Commission. Since then, the LRC mediator, Tom Pomphrett, has been working with the two sides, identifying how far each is willing to move in search of a formula for negotiations.
