07/11/2016

Secondary School Teachers Stage Industrial Action Over Pay

Secondary school teachers are underway with industrial action due to a dispute over pay and conditions.

Around 400 schools have been closed today, 07 November, disrupting over 200,000 pupils.

The strike comes after talks between the Department of Education and the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) broke down late on Sunday night.

Education Minister Richard Bruton said he was "disappointed" with the decision to go ahead with the strike.

"This will cause huge disruption for 200,000 students, and their parents, with particular stress caused for those in exam years," he continued. "ASTI have effectively decided to close hundreds of schools indefinitely, as a result of a dispute which essentially relates to one hour a week of additional duties.

"There is a good deal on the table, and I would again urge ASTI to consider it seriously, so that we can end this dispute and limit the disruption to parents and students."

(LM)

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