The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland has congratulated a member after yesterday's High Court ruling. Mr Justice Kevin Haugh found that a teacher on a probationary contract had the same contractual rights as any other teacher to a hearing before her employer, and awarded Mary Hennessy €15,000 in her case against the board of governors of St Gerard's School, Bray.
He also found that St Gerard's was bound by agreements negotiated between ASTI and the Joint Managerial Body, which represents the managements of voluntary secondary schools.
General secretary of ASTI John White said the decision "vindicates the rights of all teachers in all schools, regardless of management models, to fair treatment and procedures.
It removes any legal uncertainty about the contractual obligations on all schools to respect and adhere to agreements negotiated between ASTI and the management bodies."
