VIDEO: Mayo ASTI member disappointed that strike action was necessary

A MEMBER of the ASTI in Castlebar has explained the reasons behind the decision of secondary school teachers to take strike action today, resulting in the closure of almost 70% of second-level schools throughout the country.

Regina Duffy, a member of the teaching staff at St. Gerald's College, told The Connaught Telegraph it was not something they wanted to do but were left with no option in order to make a stand in pursuit of equal pay for newly-qualified teachers.

She said: 'We are disappointed it has come to this and we hope the dispute can be resolved quickly.'

Today's action is the first in a series of seven days of strike action on the issue.

However, a dispute over payments for the supervision of students during break times threatens to close schools for an indefinite period from November 7.

Most schools run by the Education and Training boards, formerly the VECs, are open as they are primarily staffed by TUI teachers, who are not on strike.

All schools will reopen again tomorrow before closing for the midterm break.

ASTI General Secretary Kieran Christie has said that the gap between the union and the Department of Education remains 'substantial'.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Christie that the union worked hard at talks all week but the Government will have to make substantial changes to its position.

'Unfortunately we were unable to move to a point where we could avert today,' he said.

'We will continue to work hard. Certainly the government might be going into these talks hardliners but we are constructive, we are realistic people and we're going to work hard to bring resolution to these issues.

'But there are substantial issues between us, there is a substantial gap. The Department of Education and Skills will have to make some substantial changes to their position.'

The Department of Education has said that only ASTI teachers working in schools that are forced to close from 7 November will have their salaries stopped.

Mr. Christie described the decision as 'extremely provocative.'