Young teachers may be the most negatively impacted should the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) maintain its stance on the Haddington Road Agreement.

This is the warning sent out by Education Minister Ruairi Quinn while speaking in the Dail last night (September 24th). He noted that by refusing to sign up to the deal, members of the ASTI will not be able to benefit from the protections and benefits the agreement promises.

Mr Quinn also warned teachers who are members of the ASTI that they will lose protection against compulsory redundancies on foot of their decision to reject the agreement.

He expressed his disappointment that the ASTI was the only public service union to have taken this stance, stating: "In addition to the monetary impact on individual teachers, the Haddington Road Agreement also provides additional benefits for young teachers, particularly in relation to securing permanent status."

The ASTI had earlier announced a programme of industrial action to begin next week, explaining the move comes in response to the Government's decision to cut teacher pay under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act and its breaching of the Croke Park Agreement.

Written by Donal Walsh

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