ASTI members have voted by 95% to 5% to take industrial action, up to and including strike action, over the Government’s failure to negotiate a meaningful public service pay deal that addresses the cost of living crisis for teachers.
Over 20,000 second-level teachers who are members of the ASTI will begin initial industrial action involving withdrawal from selected activities such as the Croke Park Hours from Monday, October 5th.
The ASTI has made the decision to join the coordinated industrial action alongside other public service unions affiliated to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
In addition, ASTI members will participate in two public-service-wide days of strike action on Wednesday October 14th and Wednesday October 21st, with pickets placed on all second-level schools where ASTI members teach.
Join the ASTI
If you are a second-level teacher and have not yet become a member of a union, now is the time to join the ASTI to ensure you can participate in this action and enjoy the protections of industrial relations legislation.
Industrial Action FAQs
Find a pdf copy of the FAQs here. This document will be updated as more questions arise.
Picket Guidance
Guidance for School Stewards is available here.
Picket Duty Attendance Sheet
School Stewards must keep a roll call of all ASTI members and their attendance at the picket - find a pdf copy of the attendance sheet here.
Directive
Find a pdf copy of the directive here.
Show your support
Use these images on your own social media to show solidarity during strike action - click the image you prefer to start download:
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Find a pdf version for printing here |
Find a pdf version for printing here |
ASTI industrial action in the media
- Virgin Media News - Richie Bell, ASTI President interviewed on 12.30 pm news about the ASTI's industrial action beginning today - 5th October, 2026
- Newstalk, The Claire Byrne show - Interview with Linda Kelly, ASTI General Secretary on ASTI's industrial action beginning today - 5th October, 2026.
- Today FM, The Last Word programme - Linda Kelly, ASTI General Secretary discusses upcoming industrial action - 2nd October, 2026
- RTÉ Radio 1 - Drivetime programme - Interview with Linda Kelly, ASTI General Secretary who discusses the ASTI ballot result - 25th September, 2026
- School closures loom on separate days next month as teacher pay dispute escalates - Irish Times (Online) - 25th September, 2026
- Teachers to refuse to attend meetings with parents outside school hours during work-to-rule next month - Irish Independent (Online) - 25th September, 2026
- ASTI secondary teachers to take industrial action - RTÉ website