30th September 2022
Members of Ireland’s largest teachers’ union, the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO), have voted by a significant margin to accept the proposals in the Review of Building Momentum in an electronic ballot of members.
The union announced the result today (30 September).
- 18,795 members (80%) of voters supported the agreement
- 4,783 members (20%) voted against
- The turnout was 57%
The current cost-of-living crisis demanded a response from Government. The Central Executive Committee of the union scrutinised the offer negotiated by the ICTU Public Services Committee in August, and issued a formal recommendation to the membership, urging acceptance of the relatively short agreement which is to run until December 2023. A large majority of members have now voted overwhelmingly to accept the proposals.
Responding to the result, INTO General Secretary John Boyle said:
Like all workers, our members have faced huge increases in the cost of living. It was absolutely the right decision for unions to collectively trigger the review clause of Building Momentum. After prolonged and intensive negotiations, we secured an agreement that our members have welcomed as it will provide significant salary increases and pay certainty.
Additionally, the non-pay measures announced on Budget day will assist in alleviating some of the financial pressures being experienced by members and their families.
We will continue to carefully monitor the cost of living in the next six months. We will be determined to ensure that any successor agreement negotiated after Easter addresses outstanding union claims and further improves the pay and conditions of our members, who always give their utmost to provide the highest quality learning experiences in our primary and special schools.
I want to personally thank every member who participated in this ballot. In a democracy, decisions are made by those who show up. Taking the time to vote in a ballot ensures the will of the majority of our members is reflected in important decisions on their wages and working conditions.”
ICTU PSC meeting – aggregate ballot
The results of ballots by all unions across the public service will be aggregated at a meeting of the ICTU Public Services Committee on Friday, 7 October. INTO representatives attending the meeting will indicate that our members have strongly supported the ratification of the agreement. The INTO will communicate the outcome of the ICTU aggregate vote on our website next Friday afternoon.