ASTI MEMBERS in community and comprehensive schools are to begin a campaign of industrial action if the ceiling for permanent appointments in these schools is not raised by 5 per cent to 95 per cent.

The ASTI quotes figures which show that 32 schools in the community and comprehensive sector have between 85 and 89 per cent permanent appointments, while nine school have between 80 and 84 per cent permanent appointments. There are 23 schools with between 90 and 95 per cent permanent appointments.

In the September issue of its magazine, ASTIR, the ASTI states that it is "acutely aware that unless progress is made on this issue that these teachers will be squeezed out of the school system due to falling enrolments which are expected to commence in 1997".

There has been no progress with the Department of Education in relation to removing the ceiling, according to the ASTI. The union has written formally to the Department of Education and the ACS stating that is no longer prepared to accept the 90 per cent ceiling and has said that it must be increased from 90 to 95 per cent for the 1996-97 school year and to 98 per cent thereafter.

John White, assistant general secretary of the ASTI, says that the union will be targeting community and comprehensive schools, where the problem is at its worst. The union will consult with staff with a view to balloting on industrial action.

The TUI has already engaged in industrial action in one school on this issue, and it will continue to review each case individually. It is expected that the TUI will negotiate further with the Department of Education next week.

A spokesman for the Department of Education explains that the Department has no problems with permanent staffing levels of up to 90 per cent in community and comprehensive schools, subject to certain conditions. If the level of permanent appointments in a school is below 90 per cent, that is a matter for the individual board of management, he adds. As to increasing the level above 90 per cent, there are further negotiations in progress, according to the spokesman.