ASTI announce strike action on seven days in October, November and December

“The sense of injustice amongst all teachers is palpable.”

Secondary schools throughout the country face closure on seven days over the next two months after the ASTI announced plans for industrial action on Friday. The announcement comes after ASTI members voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action over lower pay for recently qualified teachers and what they claim are worsening terms and conditions for ASTI members. The ASTI is the second-largest teachers’ union in Ireland, with 17,500 members teaching in more than 520 schools nationwide. As a result of the announcement, ASTI members will engage in strike action on the following dates in October, November and December.

• Thursday, October 27
• Tuesday, November 8
• Wednesday, November 16
• Thursday, November 24
• Tuesday, November 29
• Tuesday, December 6
• Wednesday, December 7

Commenting on the announcement ASTI President Ed Byrne said: “Recently qualified teachers spend five to six years training, including obtaining the required Master’s qualification for teaching at second-level. They are then expected to teach alongside colleagues who have completely different pay arrangements for their entire careers. "The sense of injustice amongst all teachers is palpable," Byrne added. "ASTI members are committed to achieving equal pay for equal work for all teachers.”