ASTI's standing committee has voted to postpone until tomorrow's Central Executive Council meeting any decision on new proposals that could lead to the resumption of negotiations to end the teachers dispute.
The committee is expected to issue a recommendation ahead of a meeting of the union's full council, although it is not known what that recommendation will be.
The ASTI's standing committee meeting was held in Dublin this afternoon ahead of a gathering of its Central Executive Council tomorrow.
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| Minister for Education Dr Woods yesterday |
According to the ASTI executive officer, Ms Gemma Tuffy, the proposals will be put to the meeting of ASTI's 180-member Central Executive Council at a 10.30 a.m. meeting tomorrow, after which ASTI's reaction will be made public.
The proposals are believed to be the result of informal talks with the Labour Relations Commission facilitator, Mr Tom Pomphrett, which have been ongoing since the ASTI withdrew from discussions after teachers were docked five-days pay before Christmas for working-to-rule.
But the ASTI remains adamant that the five-days pay be refunded to teachers before any further discussions can take place with the Government.
The teachers are due to continue with their dispute with three work-to-rule days on Tuesday, January 16th, in Dublin; Wednesday, January 17th, in Leinster (except Dublin); and on Thursday, January 18th, in Munster.
No decision has been made by the Minister of Education, Dr Woods on how to deal with the threat to Junior and Leaving Cert exams.
According to Mr George O'Callaghan, general secretary of the Joint Managerial Body for Voluntary Secondary Schools it is unlikely either set of exams could go ahead if the ASTI continues its work-to-rule.
Speaking on RTE's Morning Ireland this morning Mr O'Callaghan said that while it might be possible to supervise the exams it would be virtually impossible to find the 300-400 teachers required per subject to correct the exams.
"Students need to be assured that this year's Leaving and Junior Certificate exams will retain their credibility and that the operation and marking of the examinations is consistent," said ASTI general secretary Mr Charlie Lennon.