A package of measures which could help resolve the teachers' pay revolt is to be considered by the Government tomorrow.
With the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI) poised to begin a series of one-day strikes next month, the Cabinet will examine demands by the two other teaching unions - the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) and the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) - for significant pay concessions.
ASTI is the only teaching union taking industrial action but TUI has warned it would also ballot on strike action unless the Government responded positively to its demands by November 10th.
Both TUI and INTO want to see a speeding up of pay awards under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness (PPF). Education sources acknowledge that they could resort to forging a pay alliance with ASTI unless their demands are met. A positive Government response would increase pressure on ASTI to suspend its campaign. Last night a senior Government source said the Government would be happy to negotiate with ASTI as soon as "the union assembles some kind of coherent case".
In the current review of the PPF, INTO and TUI are seeking compensation for inflation through pay increases and/or tax relief, and a speeding up of the benchmarking element of the PPF. The benchmarking review, which will examine public-sector compared to trends in the private sector, could reward teachers for increased productivity and changes in working conditions.
However, the review is not due to report until the end of 2002 and no money is to be paid until 2003. The Government is under intense pressure from INTO and TUI to bring this forward to next June. Officials are examining how the review might begin to hear submissions from the teachers' unions immediately and report as soon as possible.
The Government, however, has still to indicate if the process can be speeded up. It is concerned that special treatment for teachers could lead to difficulties with other public service groups.