Sir, - The ASTI has consistently complained about its members' salaries falling behind those of people in the IT sector.
As a technical graduate, working in the IT department of a semi-State company (which provides me with very good conditions of employment), I am earning considerably less than a teaching graduate and my maximum potential earnings are also less than that of teachers.
Listening to the collective teaching union leaderships (some of whom double-job as senators) complaining about the increase in the cost of living, one would think they are the only sector affected by rising inflation.
They also point out that the numbers entering teaching have dropped. If this is the case, why is the demand for places so competitive for entry into teacher training colleges and H.Dip. programmes for science and arts graduates?
A pay claim of some kind may be justified, but where is the accountability for poor exam results, among other things, being offered in return?
If a downturn occurs in the economy, it will be teachers who will be left with secure employment, much better than average earnings, and long holidays. As they are not receiving much public sympathy, they should wake up to reality and realise when they have it so good. - Yours, etc.,
James Freeman, The Lawn, Finglas, Dublin 11.