A Clare teaching union representative says there’s a ‘crisis’ in attracting and retaining teachers in the profession.
It’s after public sector unions agreed to ballot their members on whether a 6.5% pay increase over two years should be accepted.
The Workplace Relations Commission tabled the proposal on Tuesday morning, following public sector pay talks between unions and the Government that lasted around 19 hours.
The package would see pay increases of 3% backdated from the 2nd of February this year, 2% from the start of March next year and 1.5% or €750, whichever is the greater, from the 1st of October 2023.
It would come on top of a two percent increase already included in the existing public sector pay agreement, ‘Building Momentum’.
Deputy General Secretary with the Association of Garda Sergeants & Inspectors, Ronan Clogher, has told Clare FM’s Morning Focus that despite concerns from private firms, those working in the public sector have bills to pay too.
Clare’s TUI representative claims young teachers are already emigrating due to pay and other issues not making the profession attractive enough.
Kate Hehir, who teaches at St Michael’s Community College in Kilmihil, says whatever measures are necessary to keep educators in the sector should be taken.
The situation for teachers in this county, whether the deal is accepted or not, is being dubbed ‘a crisis’.
Clare ASTI representative Geraldine O Brien, who teaches at St Joseph’s Community College, Kilkee, says teachers are in a unique scenario due to part time contract work and a two tier pay system.
Unions will now ballot and consult their members on the proposals, and will meet again on October 7th.
Listen back to the full interview here:
