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RollingNews.ie
Midnight oil
After late night talks, a possible breakthrough at the ASTI teacher dispute
It’s three weeks since the current talks process began.
Updated at 11.40am
TALKS AIMED AT resolving the ASTI teacher dispute ended overnight, with signs of a breakthrough reported.
Union leaders exited the discussions at 1am, with some members of the team confirming that a document aimed at ending the dispute was being finalised.
In a statement this morning, an ASTI spokesperson said:
Talks aimed at ending the current industrial relations disputes between the ASTI and the Department of Education and Skills adjourned early this morning.
It is expected that documents will be finalised shortly and will be issued by the chair of Teachers’ Conciliation Council Ms Anna Perry for consideration by the parties.
The ASTI accepted an invitation to attend talks from the chair of the Teachers’ Conciliation Council three weeks ago.
The union suspended the withdrawal of supervision and substitution duties by its members earlier this month as the talks process began.
Hundreds of schools were closed as teachers went on strike over equal pay for newer teachers who do not get the same pay as their colleagues.
Actions had also been planned by the teacher union centred on pay for supervision and substitution duties.
Speaking at a press event this morning Education Minister Richard Bruton said he wouldn’t be drawn on the detail of documents drawn up overnight.
He said that people had put long hours into the process on both sides.
“There’s quite an amount of work to be done and we will have to wait and see the outcome of that,” Bruton said.
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