The ASTI will ballot its members on industrial action, up to and including strike action, in response to the Government’s failure to table a meaningful offer on pay following the expiry of the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026.
The ballot is part of a co-ordinated campaign by public sector unions affiliated to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU). It follows the failure of exploratory talks between the Government and the ICTU to establish a basis for formal negotiations on a successor public service pay agreement.
Public servants working for less
ASTI General Secretary Kieran Christie said public servants are working for less in 2026:
“The value of the 1% pay increases paid to public servants in February and June this year has already been eroded by inflation, leaving teachers and other public servants working for less in real terms”.
Senior Cycle Redevelopment commitments
The ASTI ballot comes at a time when there are growing concerns about the failure of the Government to honour commitments made to teachers, in particular the Department of Education and Youth’s failure to pay a 1% salary increase due under Senior Cycle Redevelopment Implementation Support Measures which were accepted by ASTI members.
ASTI President Richie Bell said today that if the ballot is passed, among the range of actions available to the ASTI is the suspension of involvement and co-operation with elements of Senior Cycle Redevelopment.
“ASTI members have shown good faith in engaging with significant reform and change through the years. In return they are entitled to fair pay and genuine engagement from the Government rather than delay and inaction,” said Richie Bell.
The ASTI ballot seeks ASTI members’ mandate for industrial action in order to:
- secure an acceptable increase in pay covering July to December 2026, and acceptable pay increases for 2027 and/ or the duration of any proposed pay agreement;
- secure the full implementation of claims agreed under the 3% local bargaining clause of the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026 which were not implemented before the agreement expired; and
- resist any imposition of changes to work practices, the organisation of work or organisational structures without the agreement of the union.
Industrial action can be averted
ASTI General Secretary Kieran Christie said: “The way to avoid industrial action is straightforward. The Government must come to the table with a serious position on pay, honour existing commitments, and negotiate a fair settlement. The ASTI stands ready to do that.”
The ASTI ballot will take place in September with the result also due in September.
ENDS
