Long-distance lorry-drivers had a better deal than primary teachers, one delegate told the INTO conference. A large number of delegates argued on the final day of the conference for their right to a school lunchtime free of supervisory duties. The motion, proposed by 17 branches of the union, was carried.
Ms Anne Heery, from the Portumna/Woodford branch, said that long-distance lorry-drivers were obliged by law to take a break after a certain length of time. On the other hand, she said, teachers had to work an entire school day without a break. "We hold a sandwich or an apple in one hand while holding the firstaid bag in the other", she added.
Ms Patricia Foley, from the Navan branch, said she had worked in the private sector before becoming a teacher. "If I or my colleagues had been asked to work even five minutes at break, we'd have been out with placards. I was not expected to work during my break in the private sector and I should not have to now."
Teachers participating in a recording session of The Marian Finucane Show on RTE Radio also complained about lunchtime duty and the lack of time they had to sit down and have a cup of tea.
Mr Ger Stack, from the Cork City South branch, told Mr Kevin Reynolds, producer of the radio show, that the idea of "scalding yourself with a cup of tea and eating half an apple" was not conducive to giving a good performance in the classroom.
Ms Eileen Ward, from Longford, said that as a teaching principal she used her lunchtime to make telephone calls, communicate with colleagues and even arrange referees for football matches. "I can't remember when I sat down with a cup of tea and a sandwich", she said.
Delegates also highlighted the issue of adult bullying, agreeing that procedures to address the problem needed to be established.
"Bullying is where aggressiveness or cruelty, viciousness, intimidation or a need to humiliate dominates relationships", Mr Maurice Kearney, a member of the union's central executive committee, told the delegates. "I am urging congress to affirm that the work on the proper procedures and guidelines should be completed and then negotiated and agreed by the CEC with all the relevant education partners."
Another CEC member, Ms Maire Ni Chuinneagain, listed shouting, verbal abuse, banging doors, shaking fists, refusals to speak, threats of public reprimand, threats of complaint, refusals to co-operate and false accusations as behaviour which constituted bullying in schools.
She told delegates that the effects of bullying included severe anxiety, depression, loss of self-esteem, stomach and skin disorders, heart disease, reduced resistance to infection, lapses of concentration and excessive smoking, drinking and eating.
Ms Patricia Shanahan told delegates that they had "either ignored or excused adult bullying for far too long". She added: "A significant number, albeit a minority, of teachers face a working environment on a daily basis where they are constantly undermined, humiliated and intimidated. We urgently need to address the issue and put in place procedures to deal with adult bullying."