Secondary teachers are expected to appear before the Labour Court again next week after facing a day of tough questioning from officials about their 30 per cent pay claim.
Officials raised several queries about the claim at a hearing over several hours yesterday. One was whether changes to school curriculum introduced by teachers in recent years constituted "extra work". Officials also raised a queries about what period the claim covered.
The court is likely to ask the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI) to reappear so it can tease out the fine details of the claim. The Labour Court is looking to frame a compromise that will end the union's campaign.
Union sources said the ASTI was "closely questioned" on the exact meaning of its claim. Officials wanted to know did it apply to 2000 or 2001, and was the union seeking 30 per cent on top of what is available under the national pay deal.
The union was questioned on its objections to joining the benchmarking body, set up under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.
The union defended its position strongly and said its claim was for 2000, but it was flexible on when it was paid to its 17,000 members.