Schools closed by teachers' pay action

The "work-to-rule" follows a walkout on Tuesday

Many schools in the Republic of Ireland were expected to turn pupils away, as teachers staged a "work-to-rule" in an on-going dispute over pay.

The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) is demanding a 30% pay rise - approximately Irish £4,000-5,000 for the average classroom teacher.

Up to 16,600 members of the ASTI are withdrawing all voluntary supervision outside lesson time, forcing many schools to close.

The "work-to-rule" followed a one-day strike on Tuesday, where teachers took to the picket line.

ASTI general secretary, Charlie Lennon said that - by comparison with other graduate entry employment groups - teachers' pay levels were "depressed".

They deserved a fair share in the benefits of current economic prosperity, he added.

Pay withheld

Irish Education Minister, Dr Michael Woods said teachers who took part in the action would not be paid for cancelled classes.

Meanwhile the government has urged teachers to take part in new talks on pay and productivity.

But the union claimed the government had so far refused to negotiate with the union over the pay claim.

"The only way forward would be to step things up, but we hope they'll come to us in the meantime and negotiate with us," a spokeswoman said.

Further disruption is likely as ASTI members plan to withdraw voluntary supervision on the 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30 November.

Public backing

A survey of 1,200 adults by the ASTI claims the majority of the public supported their action.

The union says 64% of those adults believed secondary teachers should be paid more and 77% thought they should be paid for extra-curricular activities.

Industrial action was supported by 58% of those questioned.

"The results are extraordinarily consistent geographically, across all age groups and social classes and between adults with or without children," said ASTI president Mr McCluskey.