The three teacher unions have failed to agree a common strategy in their battle for a pay rise from the Government following a meeting in Dublin yesterday.
The unions used the meeting to restate their different approaches. Their failure to form an alliance means the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland, (ASTI), will go on strike alone on November 14th in its pursuit of a 30 per cent rise.
ASTI's isolation from the other unions is likely to be a crucial factor during its industrial action which will begin with the November 14th strike and a withdrawal of schoolyard supervision in the following days.
Schools will be closed for seven days because of the strike and supervision withdrawal.
The three unions plan to hold more meetings before November 14th, but these will be spent discussing the practical arrangements during ASTI's industrial action and not overall strategy.
The Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) - despite some internal opposition - has pursued a different strategy from ASTI.
Its leadership believes seeking improved terms under the national pay deal is the best way forward.
Its members are not expected to cross ASTI pickets on November 14th, although the TUI leadership will leave the final decision to individual members.
Its president, Mr John McGabhann, and other leading members may turn up at ASTI pickets to show solidarity. According to sources, the majority of TUI members are sympathetic to ASTI.
At yesterday's meeting, the general secretary of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation, Senator Joe O'Toole, outlined his union's position, which places heavy emphasis on bringing forward pay awards under the benchmarking process set up under the national pay deal.
He has said primary teachers can get 30 per cent, like ASTI, through this and other mechanisms.
The three unions were certain last night ASTI's strike would take place and Government sources said there would be no last-minute interventions.
The overwhelming vote for action in ASTI's recent strike ballot has strengthened the views of its leadership.
Earlier this year the unions hoped an alliance on pay could be formed, but when ASTI left the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and rejected the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, the chances of this faded.