MEMBERS of the largest teachers’ union in Ireland yesterday voted in favour of launching a 'pay campaign' to force the issue of teachers wages into the spotlight amid a warning that staff "have had enough".
The Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) will roll out a six-week public campaign and said it will consider industrial action "if an acceptable offer for our members is not received".
It comes after the Northern Ireland Teachers' Council, the representative body for the five recognised teachers' unions, recently rejected a pay offer from the Department of Education and employers, which the INTO described as "inadequate and insulting".
Gerry Murphy, INTO northern secretary, put forward an emergency motion to delegates at the union's northern conference yesterday calling for a 'pay campaign' to be launched across Northern Ireland following the rejection of the pay deal. More than 200 delegates unanimously voted in favour of the campaign.
He told the conference in Enniskillen: "The campaign will take place over six weeks in the run up to the election countdown so we will begin on March 30. It will involve public meetings in six locations across the north."
He asked members to "speak directly to politicians when they come knocking on your door, looking for your vote" adding "we will seek to dominate the May Day rallies on April 30" in Belfast and Derry.
"We want to dominate those both in terms of turnout, in terms of visibility and in terms of making your voices heard," he said.
"These rallies will take place a week before the actual election - we have had enough and we want this resolved."
Mr Murphy said it is a "serious issue and a serious moment for us all and we must approach it with the gravity it deserves in order for a campaign to be successful".
"Industrial action would require a solid foundation," he said.
"This foundation must include enormous support from all of the membership and a willingness to make sacrifices.
"We need to develop that support. We need the membership to fully understand what they're undertaking and appreciate what it will cost them.
"The Department of Education may prepare for what is to come. We all have had enough of inadequate pay offers and a lack of respect.
"So, to our minister - enough is enough. Prepare for industrial action if an acceptable offer for our members is not received."
Education Minister Michelle McIlveen has said a recent pay offer was made "despite a very difficult financial situation".
"I had hoped that this would have led to a completion of the pay negotiations during the mandate," she said.
"Management are now taking time to consider how to progress the matter and my officials have already re-engaged with NITC representatives."
