Many will have been dismayed by some of the scenes at this year's ASTI conference. Its distinguished former general secretary, Mr Kieran Mulvey, received a shrill and hostile reception from many delegates. Reporters were subject to abuse and intimidation. Even the union's president, Ms Catherine Fitzpatrick, was barracked by some delegates.
Mr Charlie Lennon, ASTI's general secretary, has now called for a period of reflection in which the union can draw some breath - away from the hothouse atmosphere of this week's conference.
In the first instance, the union would do well to gain some sense of perspective about its current pay struggle. As this newspaper has acknowledged repeatedly, teachers in this State are underpaid and under-appreciated. The ASTI - like the INTO and the TUI - are right to demand a significant increase in pay. But the merit of the ASTI's case in no way justifies the hostility, the aggression and the plain bad manners evident this week. What kind of signal did it send to parents? What kind of message was conveyed to students in their late teens? The Union of Secondary Students spoke for many when they described the behaviour as "childish".
After a two-year war of attrition some in ASTI would do well to drawn breath and reflect. The union is not seeking to change the world or to house the homeless. Indeed, some of its members objected to the social exclusion-led agenda of the ICTU two years ago. ASTI is a trade union looking for a pay increase. At root, the current dispute is about the means by which a pay increase is delivered to teachers. The INTO and the TUI have placed their trust in the forthcoming report of the benchmarking body due on June 30th next. The ASTI has chosen not to participate.
Some in the ASTI like to portray themselves as crusaders batting to save Irish education, even Irish society, from a Thatcherite agenda. While no one would doubt the sincerity of those making this case - they are no more protective of the education system in this State than senior figures in the INTO or the TUI. Is anyone seriously suggesting that people like Mr John Carr of the INTO or Mr Jim Dorney of the TUI are not as passionate about the need to maintain standards in Irish education?
The next key development in the ASTI dispute comes with the benchmarking. A disappointing outcome for teachers would have the most serious implications. It would punish the INTO and the TUI - who invested heavily in the process - and vindicate the ASTI who did not. It would also undermine public confidence in the entire partnership process. Benchmarking must deliver.