Pay high on agenda at teachers' conferences [sligotoday.ie]
- Published: 06 April 2010
National and secondary school teachers are gathering in Galway today for separate conferences set to be dominated by the issue of Budget pay cuts and the deal brokered between unions and Government.
Tánaiste and Education Minister Mary Coughlan is set to address the conference of the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO), the union representing primary school teachers, where she is expected to receive a frosty reception.
An emergency motion calling on members to reject the new public sector pay and reform deal will be debated at the INTO convention this morning.
Full Story: www.sligotoday.ie
Tanaiste warning over spending cuts [Herald.ie]
- Published: 06 April 2010
Tanaiste Mary Coughlan warned teachers of further painful cuts in her first major speech as Minister for Education.
Facing some heckles and booing at the Irish National Teachers' Organisation conference in Galway, Ms Coughlan insisted she too was angry about recent spending reductions.
But the Tanaiste told delegates the Government would have to commit less cash to public services for the foreseeable future.
"Believe me when I say that having to commit so much capital to our banking system at a time when we have to cut spending across government is something that angers me greatly, just as it does you," she said.
Full Story: www.herald.ie
Coughlan heckled during INTO address [Businessworld.ie]
- Published: 06 April 2010
Minister for Education Mary Coughlan has been heckled during an address at the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) annual congress in Salthill in Galway this morning.
The Tanaiste told delegates that the country would have to spend less on public services in the foreseeable future.
“We have more to do to fully stabilise our public finances; and as you all know, a further €3 billion of adjustment will be required in the next budget,” she said.
At yesterday's opening session of the conference, INTO president Maire Ni Chuinneagain said the Government is forcing workers to bail out "an elite band of so far untouchable financial joyriders".
Full Story: www.businessworld.ie
More adjustments needed, Coughlan tells teachers [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 06 April 2010
Mary Coughlan made the remark during her address at the Irish National Teachers Organisation conference in Galway this morning.
Dozens of delegates held posters saying "Stop Blaming Public Servants" during the Minister's speech, while retired principal Maura Harrington stood in protest beside Mary Coughlan during her address.
However the Tánaiste admits more adjustments are needed to help resolve the economic crisis.
Full Story: www.irishexaminer.com
Two out of five principals are being bullied at work [Independent.ie]
- Published: 05 April 2010
TWO out of every five primary school principals are being bullied at work, a shocking new study reveals.
And the problem is now so common that many school heads are suffering from depression and anxiety, with a small minority claiming they have had suicidal thoughts.
A quarter of those bullied actually fear going to work every day.
The bullying takes the form of everything from shouting and abusive language, ignoring requests, repeated criticism, ridicule and rumour to undermining the principal's work.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
