IPPN

Published: 08 March 2009

Source: INTO

Statement by John Carr, INTO General Secretary, on Ballot for Industrial Action

The Irish National Teachers' Organisation has released more details of the ballot for industrial action by primary teachers. Figures released today show that 79% of primary teachers voted in favour of industrial action up to and including strike action compared to 21% of teachers who opposed the idea.

Under the union's own rules a two thirds majority is required before industrial action can be called.

According to a spokesperson for the union there were high levels of support for industrial action throughout the country. In the north Dublin branches of the union, teachers voted by 9 to 1 in favour of industrial action. In Galway 87% of teachers were in favour, in Cork more than 80% backed the proposal to strike, while in Limerick 74% of teachers supported the proposal.

More than sixty percent of the union's 30,000 members turned out to case their vote at specially convened ballot meetings all over the country during the last fortnight.

The union's General Secretary John Carr said this was a very clear message to government that teachers strongly oppose the education cutbacks and the pension levy. Describing the pension levy as nothing other than a pay cut, Mr Carr said what teachers all over the country oppose is the unfair and disproportionate targeting of the public service.

"Teachers, like other public servants have said they are willing to play their part in a programme for economic recovery," said Mr Carr. "They are not prepared to be scapegoated while those with means and money escape."

Mr Carr said support for industrial action was unsurprising. "Teachers on €40,000 have seen a fourteen percent attack on their salaries since last October."

The INTO Executive will meet later this week where it is expected that plans as to the precise nature of industrial action will be considered. However, Mr Carr said any action will be organised in consultation with the other teacher unions and the broader trade union movement. "It is not intended to take unilateral action which would only serve to fragment the public service response," said Carr

"Clearly strike action will be a last resort," said Carr. He said it could be avoided if "government reconvened social partnership and worked out an equitable national recovery plan for the next number of years."

INTO President Declan Kelleher said teachers along with other workers were entitled to have their representatives in ICTU play a full role in agreeing a plan to take Ireland forward from the current difficulties. "If the government chooses not to listen to the voices of workers, then there is no option for primary teachers other than to take part in national strike action."