ASTI Members Vote To Take Industrial Action Unless Government Addresses Covid-19 Security Concerns

MEMBERS OF THE Irish Secondary Teachers Association (ASTI) have voted to take industrial action unless the government addresses various Covid-19 related issues in schools by October 30.

The issues in question include the need for a comprehensive testing program, rapid tests, and response times, along with resources for schools to ensure continuation of learning if schools are closed or people isolate themselves.

ASTI President Ann Piggott said: “ASTI members are clearly stating that they want schools to remain open to students during this pandemic.”

He said teachers are “demanding that the government take over” and provide solutions to these problems.

“We must receive support to maintain the education of our children and youth,” he said.

Teachers voted to take industrial action, up to and including a strike, if the Department of Education does not implement measures such as redefining close contacts in schools, introducing a serial testing program, and providing free laptops for staff and students to ensure remote learning is possible.

Through this vote, ASTI members have directed the union to address issues such as providing IT resources for students and teachers to help continue learning.

ASTI members also agreed that they “will not accept unilateral decisions by some schools” to change working conditions without consulting the teaching staff.

In a separate vote, union members voted to take a labor action for equal pay for equal work, to be taken in conjunction with one or both of the other teachers’ unions.

High schools reopened in late August after being closed since mid-March due to Covid-19, and teachers provided remote learning from March through June.