Support for teachers strike is voiced this morning
This morning in a statement supporting the ASTI teachers strike, the Anti-Austerity Alliance has said that a victory for the teachers can be the final nail in the coffin of the Lansdowne Road Agreement and can open the door for a serious campaign by trade union members for real pay increases.
Mick Barry TD said that the strike by teachers to win equal pay for equal work was justified and had widespread support.
He said: “The lock-out instigated by the government yesterday is a clear attempt to turn parents against teachers ahead of strike action. The government know that a victory for ASTI will finish off the Lansdowne Road Agreement which has been used to hold back the justified pay claims of public sector workers which has a knock-on effect in the private sector.”
Deputy Barry said that the government’s response to the strike, and their use of the lock-out shows that they are preparing for a ‘serious fight against teachers’ and that this must be met by an equally determined and fighting response by teachers and their union. He called on students and parents to continue to support teachers in their fight for a basic right - equal pay for equal work, and called specifically on parents’ councils and organisations to back the teachers.
He said: “A number of parents’ organisations have come out calling for an end to the strike citing the effect it would have on students. However, they must realise that many of the students they are speaking about will be the teachers of tomorrow. If they really wanted to support students they should be supporting the teachers’ fight for equal pay rather than condemning future teachers to lower wages.”
Ruth Coppinger TD, an ASTI member, said: “The government’s actions in trying to bully ASTI into Lansdowne Road shows how seriously they take this strike. This could be a major victory for workers which would have a major knock-on effect on other workers in the public and private sector.
“The workers in Luas and Dublin Bus have shown that strike action can win real pay increases. If the teachers win the government know that across the economy workers will realise they can fight and win increases.”
She said that already the effect of the strike and the settlement with the Gardai has had an effect on members of other trade unions who are now putting pressure on their unions to take action.
Deputy Coppinger said: “Workers should not just accept minimal pay increases. In the AAA submission to the Public Service Pay Commission we have called for the full restoration of pay for public service workers and any increases to match the cost of living increase since 2008. This is the type of real pay increases workers should demand.”