Plans to bring an end to the long-running dispute between the ASTI and one of its leading members, Mr Bernard Lynch, are in disarray after it emerged that 29 members of its executive have demanded a proposed legal settlement be rejected
In a sign of the continuing unease among some in the union at an agreement to pay Mr Lynch's legal fees arising from a High Court action against the union three years ago, the signatories to the letter request a special meeting of its central executive committee (CEC).
This would debate whether the decision to pay Mr Lynch's legal expenses should be rescinded.
They also request that "no further action be taken by ASTI in relation to the matter until the outcome of the deliberation of the CEC on the above motion is known".
Mr Lynch, a member of the ASTI's standing committee, took the union to the High Court to force it to allow him attend committee meetings.
He had previously been excluded from these meetings for alleged disruptive behaviour. However, under a recent arrangement, it was agreed that Mr Lynch would drop his action against the union if it paid his estimated legal fees of approximately €76,000.
Sources said those involved in signing the letter had reservations about the decision to pay Mr Lynch's fees. Mr Lynch had chosen to take the ASTI to court, and they did not feel the union should be forced to pay his fees.