THE TUI and the Department of Education have resolved a number of their difference on amalgamation issues, according to the November issue of the TUI News.

The most important principle that has been achieved, according to the union, is that the Department will no longer use pending amalgamation to block the creation of permanent whole-time positions.

The TUI has also secured agreement that all A and B posts that arise right up to the date of amalgamation in a vocational school will be filled on a permanent whole-time basis. The concept of acting or temporary posts in such circumstances will no longer arise, the union says.

Even principal and vice-principal positions that arise in the lead-up to an amalgamation will be filled; however, in the immediate lead-up, this may be on a temporary basis.

The TUI says it has broad agreement on all of these matters, following discussions between the Department of Education, the TUI and the ASTI.