The Minister for Education and Skills Richard Bruton said he is disappointed at the decision by teachers to reject a proposal to facilitate talks, adding that the action will lead to disruption in schools during the new academic year.
The Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) has refused to suspend a directive to members to withdraw from working 33 unpaid hours a year imposed under the Croke Park public sector pay agreement.
The ASTI is one of a number of unions who have rejected the incoming Lansdowne Road Agreement.
Because of that, financial emergency legislation known as FEMPI dictates that their members have been subject to an increment freeze since 1 July and will also lose out on the reinstatement of cuts to pay and allowances imposed during the economic crisis.
It is understood the Department of Education had proposed that if the union suspended its directive until October, the ASTI could join talks with the Irish National Teachers Organisation and the Teachers Union of Ireland aimed at addressing the severe pay cuts and hardship imposed on newly qualified teachers.
That would mean that 17,000 ASTI members would continue to work the disputed 33 unpaid hours a year - but the FEMPI sanctions including the pay freeze would not be imposed until October - assuming the dispute had not been resolved by then.
It is understood that the Department indicated that the deferral proposal was not intended as a pre-condition to talks, but "to create a more constructive context" for talks and to avoid any disruption to schools in September.
However, the ASTI Standing Committee met today and decided that it could not suspend the directive, as this would effectively mean asking members to implement the terms of the Lansdowne Road Agreement - which they had rejected.
Department sources said the "immediate implications" of LRA withdrawal will now arise - i.e. the imposition of the FEMPI sanctions - which would have been avoided for ASTI members during the talks period if a suspension had been agreed.
Mr Bruton (above) said he was disappointed that the ASTI had decided to reject his proposal. He said the ASTI now appears intent on proceeding with their action, which will lead to disruption in schools in the new year.
He said that despite the union's clear intention, he believes that continuing dialogue between his Department and the ASTI is in the best interests of schools, parents, students and teachers - adding that the Department will seek arrangements for discussions to continue.
