Second level teachers are set to receive cumulative pay rises of almost 9 per cent by July of next year, after Asti members voted in favour of phase two of the Sustaining Progress national pay deal.
The results of a national ballot of Asti members reveal that three quarters voted in favour of the deal, with the remainder voting against.
This means Asti members will now receive cumulative salary increases of 6.25 per cent this year, with a further 2.5 per cent increase due to them in June.These figures include payments due to them under the benchmarking process.
Unlike the other teaching unions, the INTO and TUI, Asti is no longer affiliated to Ictu. This means it was not included in Ictu's decision last year to accept phase two of Sustaining Progress.
As a result, a separate offer was made to Asti, which its executive subsequently decided should be put to a national ballot of its members.
Commenting on the outcome of the ballot, general secretary of the Asti, John White, said it meant Asti members would receive pay rises which they deserved. "It means they have formed the view that the deal is the best that is available," he said.