It’s claimed some members of the Teachers Union of Ireland are being forced to supplement their income with other jobs, due to unequal rates of pay.
Dozens of Clare teachers and further education providers are among 19,000 nationally, who are demonstrating today in the ongoing row over pay for new entrants.
Today, around 400 schools, further education colleges and some third level institutions have been impacted by the TUI strike action.
19,000 teachers and lecturers are on the picket line, in a dispute that centres around the fact that those hired after 2011 are paid at a lower rate than their colleagues for the same work.
Here in Clare, several schools have closed their doors today as their teachers down tools, impacting hundreds of pupils across the county.
Clare chair of the TUI Kate Hehir, a teacher at St. Michael’s Community College in Kilmihil, says the financial hit some people are facing is hugely significant.
This isn’t the first time the pay parity for newer entrants has led to strikes at schools – and it may not be the last.
The TUI has warned of further strikes if their demands aren’t listened to, while the ASTI is balloting its members on the same issue.
Workers at the Further Education and Training Centre on Clon Road in Ennis are also among those demonstrating today – Mary Flanagan is among them and says the situation they’re facing is resulting in staffing issues.
