Taoiseach ‘doesn’t believe’ teachers strike will cause disruptions

The Taoiseach has rejected claims that schools will be disrupted after a strike threat from a large cohort of secondary school teachers.

The Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland (ASTI) voted this week in favor of industrial action on school safety during Covid-19 and equal pay.

Micheál Martin said he “does not believe” there will be disruptions to schools if the strike takes place.

He said Education Minister Norma Foley had been in constant contact with schools and unions with a view to “moving forward” on teachers’ concerns.

“ASTI members remain absolutely committed to achieving equal pay for teachers who entered the profession beginning in 2010. We will not stop until this abominable inequality is eliminated,” said ASTI President Ann Piggott. pic.twitter.com/2mrzFpNdcq

– ASTI (@astiunion) October 28, 2020

“We all share the same goal,” he said.

“The vast majority of the teachers I know want to continue teaching in schools.”

Earlier this week, ASTI members voted in favor of industrial action on school safety during the pandemic and equal pay.

The union has asked the government to implement comprehensive Covid-19 testing at all schools that are due to reopen on Monday after a midterm recess.

Mr. Martin said that teachers and special needs aides understood the importance of having children in a learning environment, but “there is no question” that it was a challenge for them.

“I think we can look back and say that we did the right thing with our children,” he added.

Mr. Martin said that the reopening of the schools had worked well and that evidence from public health authorities showed that the schools are a “safe place to be.”

He said that in order to address the concerns of schools, it is essential to establish regular contact with public health authorities.

Mr. Martin added that school teams have been established to create a “stronger integration” and connection between public health and education.

“It is very, very important that we create good and safe environments for children and teachers because school is very important to the children of the nation,” he said.

“It is a national priority of ours, to ensure that we can continue to allow children to learn in the school environment through this pandemic because that is the best way to ensure their mental well-being, their physical well-being, but above all their education and personal development. . needs too. “