ENNISCORTHY SCHOOLS IN LIMBO AMID ONGOING ASTI DISPUTE
Secondary school students in the Enniscorthy district and across Wexford are in limbo this week because of strike action by members of the ASTI.
Yesterday (Monday) many schools in the district were forced to close their doors to students despite the fact that the teaching staff turned up for work.
However Boards of Managements at ASTI schools nationwide had decided that schools would remain closed as nobody was available to provide supervision or substitution.
The withdrawal from supervision and substitution arises from the union’s rejection of the Lansdowne Road Agreement and its consequent decision to stop working the 33 Croke Park hours. Because of this, ASTI members are not receiving the benefits of the Landsowne Road Agreement, including €796 a year for supervision and substitution, which triggered the union’s move to withdraw from these duties from yesterday (Monday).
Almost 60 per cent of secondary schools across the country closed as members of the union withdrew from the supervision and substitution duties.
The issue is compounded today (Tuesday) as strike action takes place at all ASTI secondary schools.
The one day strike action by the ASTI members is the second in a series of seven one day strikes threatened by the union before Christmas. These one day stoppages are linked to a demand for pay equality for new entrant teachers.
Enniscorthy and Bunclody Vocational Colleges were unaffected by the strike action however St Mary’s CBS, FCJ Bunclody, Colaiste B
St Mary’s CBS was one of several schools in the district which didn’t reopen after the Halloween mid term break. There was no answer from the school yesterday morning but a message on the school website read: ‘As the talks between the Department of Education and Skills and the ASTI ended without resolution, the school will not be reopening after mid term break on Monday, November 7. A strike day is scheduled for Tuesday, November 8. Hopefully talks will resume and a resolution will be found to enable the school to open as soon as possible.
‘This webpage will continue to be updated and texts will be sent to parents as circumstances change.’
Similarly Bunclody FCJ was closed to students since yesterday and again there was no answer from the school yesterday morning.
However two have been sent to parents in recent days about the dispute.
The first outlined how the ASTI ‘ has directed its members to withdraw from supervision and substitution duties with effect from November 7.
‘The effect of the directive is that ASTI members, including the principal and deputy principal, will not be available to carry out essential supervision duties before school commences in the morning, during break times, at lunchtime and at the end of the school day.
‘In addition, ASTI members will not be available to substitute for colleagues absent on school business such as extra-curricular or co-curricular activities and for colleagues absent on uncertified sick leave.
‘Due to this action, the Board of Management/ Manager, will not be in a position to ensure the safety of pupils in its care from that date.
‘While the Board of Management/Manager wishes to keep the school open it is not, regrettable, possible to re-open the school after mid-term break.’
The second letter relates to the strike action planned for today (Tuesday).
In the letter Fran Stephenson, chairperson of the Board of Management said that ‘all ASTI members have been directed to take strike action on Tuesday, November 8. Pickets will be placed on all schools, colleges and education centres where ASTI members are employed on that day.
‘The Board of Management will not be in a position to discharge its responsibilities with regard to the care of students in its charge and is requesting you not to send your son/daughter to school on that day.’
There was no answer yesterday from Colaiste Bride or Meanscoil Gharman