Ballot for Industrial Action by Primary Teachers 13/02/09

Statement by John Carr, INTO General Secretary, on ballot for industrial action by primary teachers

13th February 2009
 
Primary teachers to ballot for industrial action over pay levy
 
The Executive Committee of the INTO decided this afternoon to ballot primary teachers for industrial action to oppose the government’s decision to impose a cut pay on public servants.
 
The primary teachers’ union today decided that such was the anger among primary teachers and opposition to the pay cut that there was no option but to seek a mandate for industrial action up to and including strike action.
 
Arrangements are to start immediately to ballot the union’s 30,000 members.
 
The INTO also said the union will co-ordinate any activities with other unions in the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
 
John Carr, General Secretary of the INTO, said the blame for any industrial action in primary schools which may follow lies squarely on the shoulders of the government which has unilaterally targeted public servants for pay cuts and failed to reopen social partnership talks.  
 
Mr Carr said the vehemence of the attacks on public servants by politicians and commentators in recent months is unprecedented. “Public service workers have been singled out and targeted as spongers, freeloaders and a burden on society.”
 
He said teachers acknowledge the scale of the economic crisis, recognise its effects and know that action is needed. “But,” he said, “everyone will have to play and pay their part.”
 
“An unholy alliance of politicians, employers and the super-rich who want to preserve their privileged positions has developed whose sole aim is to blame and target the public service for the nation’s economic difficulties.”
 
ENDS.