Pressure on the ASTI leadership is set to intensify after widespread anger at its decision to enter talks with the Government on supervision/substitution.
Already 25 members of its executive have voiced their concerns at the decision to meet the Minister for Education, Dr Woods, this week. They have signed a motion calling on the president, Ms Catherine Fitzpatrick, to convene an emergency meeting of its central executive. She is considering this at present, according to a spokeswoman last night.
Once 25 members sign a motion, it normally means a special meeting of the union's executive has to be held. The group which has signed the motion wants no further talks with the Minister and wants to concentrate instead on the union's 30 per cent claim.
Also reflecting these deep divisions within the ASTI, the union head office in Dublin was contacted yesterday by rank-and-file teachers expressing concern at the prospect of more disruption in schools.
Some in the ASTI believe there could be a grassroots revolt if a large number of schools have to close because of the union's withdrawal from supervision.
The Government is offering €34 an hour. The ASTI will today issue a directive to schools banning supervision and substitution from March 4th.
The Cabinet is to consider the dispute at its weekly meeting today. Discussions will centre on the ASTI demand for pensionable supervision and substitution payments. Dr Woods is sympathetic to the ASTI pension demand, but the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, is thought to be more circumspect, having concerns about the knock-on effects of any special pension deal across the public service.
The expected meeting between the ASTI and the Minister, due this week, has still to be scheduled. Dr Woods appears ready to hand over the pensions issue to a third party such as the pensions commission or the Labour Relations Commission. The ASTI, however, may not co-operate unless all its demands are addressed.
Last week, it raised the stakes by tabling four new demands, including an annual payment of €2,500 and payments for retired teachers who had performed supervision/substitution without payment during their careers.
• A candidate for the vice-presidency of the TUI, Mr Fergal McCarthy, has said the substitution and supervision issue should be negotiated through the conciliation and arbitration system.