‘Lá Buí’ held at Limerick school calling for equality for young teachers

AS TEACHERS cast their ballots in a major union vote, the staff of Scoil Chríost Rí hosted a ‘Lá Buí’ (Yellow Day) to show they stand united against pay inequality among younger teachers.

Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) members have until Friday, October 26 to have their say on current proposals to address the salary scale for post-2011 entrants to teaching, who were advised pay equality would be achieved this year. 

However, the INTO believes current proposals under the Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA) will only achieve pay equality for some cohorts. 

“It is proposed that post-2011 entrants will only get a salary uplift while post-2017 entrants will get full pay restoration,” INTO Scoil Chríost Rí representative Louise O’Kelly explained.  

“Therefore, pay equality will not be achieved for all teachers.” 

“This was devastating news for post-2011 entrants who have already endured significantly lower pay scales, lower job prospects and ‘dip for dole’.”

“The current proposals are leaving post-2011 entrants feeling undervalued and disheartened.” 

“For example, those who graduated in 2012 are classified as ‘Teacher B’ and have incurred losses of approximately €30,000,” she added.  “Under current proposals they will incur future losses of €18,000. They will also earn less than those who graduate in the future.” 

The current proposals also make the temporary pension levy a permanent additional contribution, she added. 

“No pay deal should be accepted until full pay equality is achieved. Post-2011 entrants were hit the hardest and will be the worst affected by this deal. All INTO members are advised to familiarise themselves with the proposals before voting.” 

The Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) is also to ballot its members on the PSSA in the coming weeks. The ASTI represents 16,500 teachers in Ireland.