The ASTI leadership suffered another reversal yesterday when the union agreed to circulate a document which is highly critical of the benchmarking pay review.
The leadership had withheld publication of the document, claiming that it was inaccurate. But yesterday its Central Executive Committee (CEC) voted to allow the report - prepared by the union's strategy committee - to be sent to schools. Some minor amendments have been made.
In other developments, the union opposed plans which would see ballots take place in schools rather than at branch meetings. The general secretary, Mr Charlie Lennon, believes that school-based ballots would allow more members to participate in ASTI business. But a motion proposing this view was heavily defeated.
Yesterday, the union also elected Mr Noel Buckley as its new national organiser. Earlier this week, he advised the ASTI to build bridges with other public service unions if it wants to protect public service unions. Privately, he has argued that the union needs a coherent strategy in advance of the benchmarking report in June.
The closing of the conference was marked by the release of several documents. In one, Mr Lennon, in a letter to a Co Meath branch, expressed his anger at a campaign to undermine his authority. Despite this week's setbacks, there seems little threat to Mr Lennon's position. But Mr Buckley and the new treasurer, Ms Patricia Wroe, are expected to be increasingly powerful figures within the union.