ASTI - Ireland's main second level teachers union

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Commenting on the ASTI’s participation in today’s Irish Congress of Trade Unions national demonstration, ASTI General Secretary Pat King said:

 

“Today is an historic day for the ASTI. Today we remember our founder member Thomas MacDonagh who began his career with the ASTI and finished his days at the GPO.

 

“By marching from ASTI head quarters at Wood Quay to the GPO today, second-level teachers are standing up for the nation’s children and young people. They are standing up for the education service and the future of education in Ireland. They are standing up for a better, fairer way for everyone.

 

“The Government is making children and young people pay the price for the greed and lack of regulation which has led to this economic crisis.

 

“Our schools were at the bottom of the international funding league during the boom years. The Government’s four-year plan demands savings of over €690 million from education over the next four years.

 

“Despite reassurances from the Government that frontline teaching staff would be prioritised, the Plan includes the loss of 1,200 teaching posts. This will be done by targeting the most vulnerable children and young people through cuts to teaching services for Traveller children, international pupils, and disadvantaged pupils.

 

“Young teacher graduates will also pay dearly. Under the plan new entrants to teaching will face a pay cut of at least 14%. They will also be forced to join a pension scheme which will pay out less in pension benefits than teachers will pay in pension contributions.”

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