The cost of living must continue to be the main focus for public service unions in pay talks this year, the president of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions has told primary school teachers attending the Irish National Teachers' Organisation's annual congress.
Kevin Callinan told delegates at the event in Killarney, Co Kerry that unions will concentrate on a number of key cost of living issues during expected pay talks, including the need to "make good the shortfall in pay against inflation" during the remaining term of the current pay agreement.
The cost of living and the housing crisis are key issues of concern among teachers currently and are likely to feature in debates due to take place at both the INTO congress, and at the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland and Teachers' Union of Ireland annual conferences which begin tomorrow in Wexford and in Cork.
Teachers and schools have long been reporting that high rents and a shortage of housing is making it almost impossible for many teachers to live and work in Dublin city in particular.
This is contributing to a chronic staffing shortage in schools in the capital and elsewhere as teachers emigrate or opt for jobs in rural areas or areas close to where their families live.
The cost of living was also highlighted by INTO President John Driscoll during his opening address in Killarney this afternoon.
He told delegates that upcoming talks on public sector pay must deliver substantial increases in order to retain talented teachers and attract others.
"When professionals such as teachers are struggling with the basic cost of living, it is glaringly evident that significant intervention is essential," Mr Driscoll said.
The current public service pay agreement, Building Momentum, expires at the end of 2023. Talks on a successor agreement are expected to take place in the coming months.
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Mr Callinan said unions were clear that last year's Building Momentum review did not fully compensate for the rate of inflation, which averaged 8% over 2022.
"We've already made it clear to government and employers, if [cost of living] supports are withdrawn and if prices remain elevated - as they surely will - the shortfall will have to be made good in wage bargaining across the economy."
He said there was no sustainable case for wage moderation while inflation continued to be driven by excessive company profits.
Teacher workload is also a hot topic at this year’s INTO congress.
The union will debate motions criticising "the unprecedented and ever-increasing demands and workload pressures on teachers and school leaders". In particular, it is looking for more administrative supports for school principals.
Mr Driscoll called for a reduction in administrative tasks required of school principals, including their involvement in building or renovation projects. He also called for the full restoration of middle management posts that were done away with during austerity.
He said this would "allow leaders to focus on leading teaching and learning-which is close to their hearts and by far the most important aspect of the job".
