A leading member of the teachers' group which opposed the national pay deal has withdrawn from the contest for the presidency of the Teachers' Union of Ireland. Mr Eddie Conlon will not now challenge the nomination of Mr John MacGabhann as the next TUI president.
Mr Conlon said he was withdrawing because the recent TUI conference had endorsed his pay strategy. The congress has recommended that members reject a 3 per cent payment which is intended to compensate teachers for settling early in the last pay round.
TUI members will be balloted in May on the early settlers' issue but there is no immediate prospect of industrial action.