Primary teachers' not to participate in work for free programme [into.ie]
- Published: 14 February 2011
The primary teachers union the INTO will issue a directive to its 32,000 members telling them not to participate in a government scheme which could see unemployed teachers working for free in schools. The scheme operated by FAS was announced last November by the Tanaiste and Minister for Education Mary Coughlan.
The decision was taken at a special conference today (Saturday 12th February) in Croke Park and was almost unanimously supported by the 800 delegates present.
The union's executive, while highly critical of the scheme had previously decided not to oppose it and had stopped short of directing schools not to cooperate.
Speaking after the conference the union's General Secretary, Sheila Nunan said she was unsurprised by the decision. She said it reflected teachers' anger at a fourteen percent cut in the pay of new teachers, proposed reductions to pension benefit and widespread teacher unemployment among graduates.
She also said there was unanimous condemnation of the Tanaiste's claim that the scheme was a major initiative to help the unemployed. "Clearly it is nothing of the sort," she said. "Not one additional job will be created."
The union will now issue a directive to all members telling them not to participate in the scheme.
Full Story: www.into.ie
