The presidents and general secretaries of the four teacher and lecturers union met on January 25 to review the operation of recently issued work to rule directives to their members. These directives are the first phase of the unions’ campaign against the public service cuts.

After the meeting, a spokesperson for the unions said the public service campaign would be kept under review over the coming weeks with a view to increasing the intensity of industrial action.

“Members of all the unions are extremely angry and frustrated at the effect of the two pay cuts imposed by government in the last twelve months and the unions are determined to respond to this.”

Work to rule in primary and second level schools and third level institutions is based on a number of specific directives issued by the unions. These cover:

• parent teacher meetings and staff meetings after school hours,
• the taking on of additional responsibilities and duties where promoted posts have been suppressed,
• inservice education without substitute cover,
• the rolling back of some changes made under recent national agreements.

The unions will continue to review these work-to-rule activities and other voluntary work after school hours. (Source: INTO)