Primary teachers to take industrial action next month

Primary school teachers affiliated with the INTO union are preparing to commence industrial action next month due to the prolonged absence of a new public sector pay deal. The initial measure will commence on October 5th, involving work-to-rule practices, while a nationwide strike has been proposed for October 14th. The INTO asserts that from October 5th, teachers in primary and special schools will cease working past their contracted hours and will refrain from cooperating with additional hours mandated under the Croke Park Agreement.

A staggering 99.5% of INTO members who participated in a recent ballot endorsed industrial action, underscoring the urgent need for fair compensation, according to INTO General Secretary John Boyle. The frustration among teachers stems from the ongoing uncertainty surrounding salaries, exacerbated by the current cost-of-living crisis, Boyle emphasized.

The INTO has emerged as another public sector union to support industrial action, alleging that the government has not presented a satisfactory pay offer. The previous public sector pay deal concluded on June 30th, and formal negotiations for a new agreement have yet to be initiated. The Department of Public Expenditure expressed disappointment in the unions' failure to engage in discussions in recent weeks, stressing that meaningful progress can only be achieved through constructive and sustained dialogue without preconditions.