INTO demand early conclusion to talks

Negotiations ongoing but ambition remains the same, agreement critical The Central Executive Committee of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation today expressed their determination to see through the current phase of pay talks between the public service unions and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and put the outcome to a ballot of members. The CEC was frustrated an agreement has not yet been
reached but acknowledged that talks have progressed over the summer period with the expectation that they will now continue into September.

Throughout the negotiations which have taken place over the summer, the INTO has demanded an end to the pay inequality facing new entrants to the profession since January 2011. New entrants stand to earn up to one hundred thousand euros less over the course of their career, compared to colleagues doing the same job who entered the profession prior to 2011. It’s about fairness, if you do the same job you deserve to be paid the same.

INTO President Joe Killeen said, “It’s time to get this done and dusted. Our members’ patience is wearing thin, having endured seven long years of pay inequality. It’s a national embarrassment that we return to classrooms across the nation again this year without clarity on an end to this injustice. Industrial action isn’t something we threaten lightly. We know only too well the disruption it causes for parents and children. We have been patient.
We have entered these negotiations in good faith. Government must put an end to pay inequality in short order.”

“We remain committed to these talks, to delivering for our members, and putting the outcome to a ballot per our motion at Congress earlier in the year”.