News Vol.43 / no.5 May 2021 - Teachers' Union of Ireland
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new s
teachers’ union of ireland / AONTAS MúiNTeOirí éireANN
Vol.4 3 / no.5
May 2 0 2 1
A Word from the
tui neWs
contents:
p.2 A Word from the President
President – Martin Marjoram
p. 4 Annual Congress 2021 –
General Secretary’s Address Dear Members, and support, particularly Vice
p. 6 Annual Congress 2021 – President Liz Farrell who took on a
President’s response to The conclusion of TUi’s Annual
large portion of the Chairing duties.
Minister Harris Congress has been followed by still
While hoping fervently for a return to
further intense work and activity, both
p.8 Annual Congress 2021 – a physical setting next easter, there
President’s response to by you the members in your
may be lessons and potential
Minister Foley classrooms, laboratories and homes,
improvements to be taken from
and by your representatives and
p.10 Post-Primary and Further our experience of remote
officials in intensive negotiations and
education and Training survey Congresses.
representations on your behalf.
findings
Across all sectors, TUi members
p.14 Third level survey findings continue to exemplify the finest Pay discrimination
p.16 Annual Congress 2021 - values and traditions of the irish Congress 2021 reaffirmed some of
Minister Foley acknowledges Public Service in maintaining quality TUi’s most important policy positions,
Accredited Grades system education and support for our most significantly with regard to our
does not represent a students. abhorrence against, and determination
precedent to end, the scandal of pay
p.17 Annual Congress 2021 –
tui congress 2021
discrimination a full decade after it
Minister Harris becomes first was first inflicted. We remain
DFHeriS Minister to address i wish to record my thanks to the
committed to supporting the
conference p.18 TUi in the hard-working TUi team, to the
provision of a quality education
media Standing Orders Committee, and to
service across multiple sectors
p.21 Annual Congress 2021 – our service providers for delivering a
through securing in the first instance
Full report professional and successful remote
permanent employment on decent
p.34 Update on Curriculum Congress; to the many delegates who
terms and conditions for the
Development gave generously of their time during
committed, hard-working and highly
the most intense year of our working
p.35 rMA News qualified educators we are proud to
lives; and to my colleagues on the
p.36 Crossword with €250 prize have in our membership.
executive Committee for their work
eDiTOriAL Annette Dolan John MacGabhann PrODUCTiON
Deputy General Secretary Assistant General Secretary
Martin Marjoram adolan@tui.ie jmacgabhann@tui.ie TUi News is published by the
President Teachers’ Union of ireland.
president@tui.ie Declan Glynn Seamus Lahart
Assistant General Secretary Aontas Múinteoirí éireann,
Assistant General Secretary
Liz Farrell dglynn@tui.ie slahart@tui.ie 73 Orwell road, rathgar,
Vice President Dublin 6, D06 YP89.
vicepresident@tuimail.ie Aidan Kenny Anne Howard
Assistant General Secretary Assistant General Secretary
Michael Gillespie akenny@tui.ie ahoward@tui.ie T: 01 - 492 2588 F: 01 - 492 2953
General Secretary e: tui@tui.ie W: www.tui.ie
mgillespie@tui.ie Colm Kelly David Duffy
Assistant General Secretary education & research Officer
dduffy@tui.ie Printed by:
ckelly@tui.ie
Typecraft Ltd.
Patricia Keating
Joanne irwin
Administrative Officer
Assistant General Secretary
pkeating@tui.ie
jirwin@tui.ie
Conor Griffin
John O’reilly
Press & information Officer
Assistant General Secretary
cgriffin@tui.ie
joreilly@tui.ie
2 May 2021 - TUi NeWS
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Processes are continuing and will Ministers for education
hopefully deliver positive results for For the first time, TUi Congress was
members including Adult Literacy addressed by two Ministers for
tutors, researchers, and Youthreach education. While honoured to respond
coordinators and resource persons. to the Ministers on your behalf, i am
Precarious employment, crushing acutely conscious that speeches are
workloads, bureaucratic overload, the just one important element in the
unacceptable continuation of ongoing and detailed engagements and
numerous austerity measures, and the negotiations which advance your
all-prevailing shortage of the funding interests. We were delighted that both
necessary to deliver the education Ministers accepted our invitation and
system this nation needs and deserves look forward to welcoming them to a
returned as key themes. TUi’s absolute corporeal Congress next year.
commitment to education as the most
effective response to economic
disadvantage and our determination to Vaccinations
campaign hardest for those in greatest The unheralded and abrupt change to
need, especially those with Special the vaccine allocation groups, and the
educational Needs, were as always poor Government communications TUi PreSiDeNT, MArTiN MArJOrAM
central to our debates and around that decision, cast an unwanted
deliberations. shadow over our Congress. As with sources regarding extraordinary
the rank ordering data for Calculated additional workload and changes to
Surveys of members prior to Grades, previous commitments and work practices necessitated by the
Congress confirmed and highlighted understandings from the Department, COViD-19 crisis. The ending of
your deep and ongoing concerns with on which TUi members in good faith disgraceful pay discrimination is our
regard to significant elements of the based their decisions and cooperation, key focus with regard to the use of
Congress agenda, including pay equality were unceremoniously overthrown. the 1% sectoral bargaining fund
and the extraordinary measures We have made clear our dissatisfaction provided for in the agreement –
adopted on a no-precedent basis as with the unpredictable and disorderly discussions with other unions and
part the COViD-19 response. TUi has approach of Government to the Government Departments will
expressed its disagreement with the formulation and communication of commence shortly.
Government decision to offer policy on vaccinations. in concert with
Accredited Grades as a choice for this the iNTO and the ASTi we have This issue provides a full record of the
year’s Leaving Certificate class, as well sought high-level engagement, with a decisions of Congress 2021 which
as our disappointment that the particular focus on risks related to your executive Committee will now
externally assessed additional pregnancy and non-standard classroom bring into negotiation and
components of assessment will not settings such as special schools and implementation. i extend my best
factor into the Accredited Grades special classes. wishes for the health and happiness of
process. We remain hopeful that a you and your families for the
large proportion of students will sit remainder of the academic year
the examinations in June. it is vital Building Momentum and a well-earned rest over the
between now and then that every Plans are advancing with regard to the summer.
member of school communities formulation of Building Momentum
adheres to COViD-19 mitigation Action Plans for various sectors of the
measures and that no needless risks Public Service. TUi will insist on
are taken, such as in the organising of absolute adherence to the oft-
unnecessary gatherings or large group repeated no-precedent assurances
activities. from Government and Department
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‘tui members showed by action and
accomplishment that they were capable of adapting,
learning new skills and responding to the needs of
our students and learners during the pandemic’
In his address to Annual Congress 2021, TUI General Secretary
Michael Gillespie outlined the Union’s key priorities across a range of issues.
Some key messages are set out in the summary below.
introduction targeted investment that is required to
Once again, we meet in a virtual setting make the changes that a new deal would
owing to COViD-19. However, it is great deliver.
to see Congress return to its traditional
post-easter slot this year. All going well, Something else we learned from the
the TUi will return to a corporeal pandemic is that broadband must be
Congress in 2022 with the in-person provided to every household. Being
debate and the social interactions that we connected has its challenges but not
all miss and now appreciate more than being connected is a new species of
ever. disadvantage, an impediment to progress
at an individual, family and community
Pandemic level. Broadband must be a national asset
The increased workload, the systemic rather than a private asset to be
change, adoption of new emergency work monetised. Dependency by the state on
practices and changes in our physical the private sector has authored failure in
workplaces all happened almost housing, health care, and now in
overnight. However, TUi members broadband. A fundamental reappraisal of
showed by action and accomplishment this approach is overdue. TUi GeNerAL SeCreTArY MiCHAeL
that they were capable of adapting, GiLLeSPie
learning new skills and responding to the no Precedent
needs of our students and learners during An absolute commitment that Leaving
the pandemic as those needs arose. Certificate and Junior Certificate from their own homes. This experience
examinations will run in 2022 and a clear will influence how TUi engages and
For that, you should all be complimented. acknowledgement that this year's interacts with members in the future.
examination arrangements are being
inequality magnified carried out by teachers on a no lack of career Progression
The pandemic has taught us many lessons, precedent basis is expected from Minister Apart from the administrative and
one being that inequality is endemic in Foley. bureaucratic overload that is swamping
our society. The pandemic did not create function for our Principal teachers and
inequality, but it did magnify it. This did emergency measures only Deputy Principals, the suppression of
not surprise our members - we have seen Teachers have shown commitment, posts of responsibility has created a
it and worked against it for years. Maybe adaptability, and resilience. They did so barren landscape for teachers in terms of
we might be listened to now. To tackle on the basis that these emergency career progression. Putting it simply, for
educational inequality effectively and arrangements would not set a precedent. most teachers there is no career
decisively, society must invest in This “no precedent” approach was agreed progression. This has caused an entirely
education as a public service and a key by Government and by the Department. predictable and justifiable anger and
aspect for our future wellbeing. We note the chorus of consultants now dissatisfaction amongst our members.
calling for the temporary arrangements The TUi expects a real and measurable
school design to be made permanent. process of restoration of posts of
There must also be a fundamental responsibility to be put in place and one
reappraisal and a new conceptualisation Let me tell you: they will be waiting. We that will operate to a quick timeline.
of what a school should look like. School are not here to allow opportunistic
design will now have to take account of dreams to come to fruition. We will not new entrants/Pay inequality
what we have learned. be fooled into accepting as permanent Delegates and guests, i want you to
what we agreed to be temporary. We will consider the effects of pay discrimination
We always knew that ventilation and air not countenance the abandonment of the against those who entered the profession
quality were important. We now know written, state certified exams, externally since 2011. A palpable anger at this gross
just how important. Students learn set and assessed. TUi will not yield to injustice remains in place. Politicians of all
better and teachers teach better when demands for a year-round, 24/7 work parties bemoaned the injustice but have
air quality in the teaching space is of a pattern. done nothing to eliminate it. The victims
good standard. it has never been a of this injustice are our members, your
requirement in our classes, but it must be Branch Meetings – moved online colleagues, friends, and relatives. New
now. This is a structural problem which The way TUi interactions occur has entrants worry about precarious work,
can and must be addressed. changed this year. As in other areas, are anxious about bills and loans that
Branch meetings went online and, very must be paid, the extortionate rents that
education – a ‘new deal’ notably, attendance has increased. TUi are demanded and feel a deep sense of
Today on your behalf and on behalf of the purchased Zoom licenses and Zoom has frustration that reasonable and legitimate
students we serve i am calling for a “new become the TUi platform of choice. At life decisions cannot be taken or must be
deal” for education and the sustained Zoom Branch meetings members attend
4 May 2021 - TUi NeWS
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delayed. These victims are intelligent, our members in Dundalk institute of Maintaining and enhancing staffing and
highly educated professionals, many of Technology and iADT. expeditions into allocation in Fe colleges is a priority.
whom, entirely logically, make the the wilderness by certain Presidents have When the Pandemic ends there will be
decision not to stay victims. They decide delayed and impaired progress for these obvious demands for Further education
- because they have transferable skills - to institutes. Both DKiT and iADT must be opportunities and the Government has
leave the profession or to leave the accommodated and assisted by the HeA already committed to this in terms of
country. and the Department to become part of financial support needed. Fe needs to be
Technological Universities. No well placed to respond to the
teacher supply crisis President's delusions of grandeur must be opportunities and needs when the
This scandal of discrimination has created allowed to scupper legitimate aspirations pandemic is over.
the crisis in teacher supply and retention. or to impede the hopes of an entire
There is a clear cause and effect. There is region. adult education
a clear remedy: end the discrimination TUi has long-standing issues in relation to
and end the crisis. Pay the same TUi will not accept theories about Adult Literacy Tutors. The Department
professional rate; establish pay equality. institutional autonomy that seek to refuses to provide our members in Adult
Do it now because it is the right thing to dismantle centralised processes for ir education services with an appropriate
do. bargaining. This is, of course, not to and fair career structure and pathway.
suggest that the functioning of the There has been an appalling unwillingness
Minister Foley should state unequivocally current ir forums is smooth and efficient. to recognise the critical importance of
that pay equality will be reinstated and it is not. adult education for so many of our
must say when this will happen. neighbors and citizens.
disregard tui at your peril
Building Momentum TUi is clear in warning managements of international Studies such as PiAAC make
The executive Committee recommended both recently formed and soon to be clear that ireland needs to prioritise
that the “Building Momentum - Public formed Technological Universities not to Adult education. Minister Harris can
Service Agreement 2021-22” not be seek to disregard TUi. We will not be make a real and lasting difference. i urge
accepted because it does not end the swept aside by a new broom him to seize that opportunity. There
injustice of pay discrimination against our management. There are agreements that needs to be a conclusion of the process
members appointed since 2011. The management must respect and agreed under the LrA Chairman’s Note
TUi’s campaign for pay equality will implement; procedures that have been for all Adult Tutors.
therefore continue. The TUi did negotiated and that must be applied.
recognise that the agreement provides There is engagement that must occur if Youthreach and Vtos
the first actual pay increases for public respectful relationships are to be built The TUi has lost patience with the
servants in more than 10 years. and maintained between the TU Department and SOLAS regarding the
management and the academic staff unconscionable delay in providing
The Public Services Committee of iCTU, represented by the TUi. if not, TUi will act assurances about the future of Youthreach
by the aggregate vote of affiliate unions, and act decisively. and of VTOS provision. These
has recorded that it is accepting the programmes deserve and need official
Building Momentum Public Service review of lecturing affirmation from the new Department
Agreement 2021-22. The Third level workload and contact and sustainable structures. Mr. Harris has
time is unsustainable given increased quite rightly been complimentary of
The position notified by the TUi is that student numbers and the changes in Youthreach and has met them virtually.
we agree to be encompassed by and will process. A clear path for advancing the That must be welcomed.
not repudiate the “Building Momentum review of lecturing, building on the first
Public Service Agreement” and TUi module completed by Prof. Tom Collins, is in relation to Youthreach, there is a need
members will therefore benefit from the needed. now to recognise explicitly that what our
pay increases. members provide to learners is
apprenticeships education, that those providing it are
Building Momentum – sectoral TUi welcomes the recently announced teachers and are teaching. it is up to the
Bargaining move into the CAO process of new Department now to show that the
A Sectoral Bargaining process will apprenticeship applications but must be disdain for and the neglect of this group
commence shortly which will allocate the and wants to be consulted about future are over.
equivalent of 1% of pay to a fund that is development of the plan.
available within the agreement. This 1% is additional funding/supports for
in addition to the two 1% pay increases TUi is the only organisation involved students who have fallen behind
that will be paid in October 2021 and across the whole process of because of coVid-19
October 2022. TUi is committed to the apprenticeships - from encouraging it as a it makes no sense to TUi that students
elimination of pay discrimination against pathway in our post primary schools and are supported in Post Primary Schools
new entrant teachers and lecturers. other education facilities to providing with resource hours and other supports,
Therefore, as far as teachers are training in eTBs, ioTs and TUs. but that this does not follow them into
concerned, TUi has unambiguously Further and Higher education. The new
prioritised the payment of the HDip/ PMe further education issues Department has an opportunity to
allowance to new entrants as a key The TUi represents a variety of grades in provide enhanced links between Fe and
demand from the sectoral bargaining eTBs, including AeO, CeF,Youth Officer, iOTs/TUs- to facilitate access, transfer,
negotiations. if our colleagues in other Adult education Guidance Counsellor, and progression.
unions have a different priority that is eTB Directors. Therefore, the current
their business. negotiations on Organisation Design of Membership increases
eTBs are important to our members. Our membership has grown to where
technological universities The slow approach and questions as to TUi now has more than 20,000 members
There are problems associated with how this fits into DFHeriS are and that is also thanks to you and your
moving from institute of Technology to concerning but be assured, we will push involvement in the recruitment of new
Technological University status. However, for structures that appropriately reflect members. This membership is the reason
there are far bigger problems associated the roles and responsibilities. that the Annual accounts show that the
with not moving to TU status. Just ask Union is in a sound financial position.
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‘there were extraordinary efforts by our members
in the very abrupt switch to emergency remote
teaching’
Some excerpts from President Martin Marjoram’s response to Minister for
Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris,
on Tuesday, 6th April.
Welcome Another workload issue, and one we are
Like you Minister, we are optimistic about familiar with in TUi, is to do with
your new Department. if your new semesterisation in Further education. We
Department is successful, we think that know in Third Level the additional
will mean it is on the basis of our burdens that come with semesterisation
colleges, our ioTs, our TUs, our Centres, – it was railroaded through on us, and it
our Youthreach, our VTOS – that these did massively increase our workload.
will also be successful. We see the
potential value of two education voices at The newly adopted practices that we
Cabinet. took on in response to the pandemic –
they are on a strictly no-precedent basis.
We will keep an eye on the rate of We will not permit any slippage or any
progress; we will welcome what is in complacent assumptions to be made. We
keeping with our policies; but we will will insist on being consulted on all
argue and oppose and, at times, criticise. proposals affecting our work.
You have already seen both sides of us, MArTiN MArJOrAM reSPONDiNG
and in truth it is not really two sides – TO MiNiSTer HArriS
it is the one side because in both Parity of esteem
elements we are fighting for what we it is worth saying that many of your key
believe in. points resonate with ours. indeed, if there shortfalls, and your determination to
was to be an over-arching theme which i make progress. We will expect detailed
intended in my remarks to you, it was to reports at next year’s Congress. Given
Workload – no-Precedent be inclusion, removal of disadvantage, if our experience over many years, you will
We acknowledge the thanks that you you like parity of esteem across forgive us for waiting to see how you get
have expressed for the enormously hard education. in which regard you have on before passing judgement. We know
work of our members in response to the highlighted much that is dear to TUi. Our there are huge challenges that you face,
crisis. Our members faced such hard beginnings were in the Vocational and that is because we have faced them
work, to an extent, because they are education Sector and we have long for many years.
carrying such a burden of decades of championed Adult education, Further
under-investment. That is a huge gap in education,Youthreach, Apprenticeship and You touched on the €168m of additional
the legacy before us all, that it now falls widening of access to Third Level. We COViD funding; while happy that that was
to you to take leadership in trying to have no time for elitism or for exclusion provided, we did not get the consultation
address. We will be pushing you in TUi. we would like to see. We had put forward
extremely hard in that direction. what we saw as a vital element in what
You speak of a single integrated Tertiary needed to be done, certainly in Third
There were extraordinary efforts by our system, and this would be valued by us, Level, with regard to the COViD
members in what was a very abrupt particularly if it does give the correct response: and that was additional staffing.
switch to emergency remote Teaching. value that should always have been there That did not land favourably with
There were already enormous workloads, for Apprenticeship, for Further education, Government and that was a mistake. The
there were already huge problems. Some and all of the other options which are lack of consultation with regard to the
of this is purely bureaucratic, a distraction traditionally overlooked or undervalued. additional funding, and the lack of clarity
from teaching and learning. either for us as to where that funding went,
measures need to be taken to reduce We are pleased in the emphasis you remains a difficulty.
that burden, or else to hire the extra staff, placed on consultation with us and that is
bring forward the extra posts to relieve the key in dealing with TUi. When
it. The supports provided to those properly engaged, we are not found adult education
working at home simply were not wanting. But if the engagement does not We are hugely supportive of what you
adequate, and that goes both to what happen, then needless problems arise. have said with regard to additional
employers made available by way of funding in Adult education. We are only
materials and equipment, but also the too familiar with the value of supporting
enormous increase in utility bills. funding adults in literacy, in numeracy, in digital
We are pleased to hear your focus on skills and the enormous boost to
funding, your recognition of the current confidence that can result. Parity of
6 May 2021 - TUi NeWS
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esteem extends to staff also, and to be Managerial Work-to-rule make sure that it is robust and is proofed
properly valued staff have every right to One thing which we find frustrating is a against financial shocks and the
expect proper terms and conditions and sort of managerial work-to-rule – of vulnerability of a solely employer-led
an incremental scale. Our Adult Literacy finding the absolute minimum that a approach.
Tutors are waiting more than a year now management can do in order to tick a
after the Labour Court recommendation box with regard to consultation or
for an offer. We would hope, given the implementation of an agreement. Pay equality
emphasis you have placed on this in what Sometimes, indeed, that minimalism is You did mention the new Pay Agreement,
you have presented, that there will be a hard to bear, but it goes further in not Building Momentum, which absolutely
generous offer and that their enormous even going to the minimum but breaching obliges me to mention equal pay for equal
contribution will receive the value that it the agreement. work and the fact that we have many
deserves. members who are earning less simply
An instance of astonishingly poor because they were appointed after 2011.
consultation, indeed no consultation in We want to see that matter addressed
third level advance, recently occurred with regard to and, frankly, the Building Momentum
You have mentioned Technological the setting up of the new Mayo College Agreement does not do that.
Universities. Again, i will mention funding. of Further education. We are very
Also the position of iADT and DkiT. The disappointed and will seek to resolve the
agreed framework is how the sector deep concerns that have arisen for TUi research
should move forward and we do not members. Across the world, researchers seem to be
want to see madcap schemes outside among the most exploited workforces.
what has been properly through the You mentioned the COViD-19 Steering What we would like to see is no
processes of consultation and agreement. Committee attended by our Deputy exploitation, proper value given to those
i want to pay tribute to the TUi teams General Secretary. We need Union colleagues who are now in employment
who are negotiating on the ground, and representation on other forums and and future colleagues; research and
you have made reference to the progress there are important bodies such as lecturing to go hand-in-hand; the closest
that has been made. SOLAS on which we have long alignment possible in terms and
campaigned to have that necessary conditions and pay so that it would be
There is a desperate need to advance the representation. For all the success of the possible to move between the two
work begun by Tom Collins with regard COViD-19 Steering Committee, we have seamlessly.
to workload. We note the OeCD less successful industrial relations
initiative. We will engage. We must stress, Forums such as the eTB ir Forum, the
however, the absolute need to negotiate ioT ir Forum, and the National Youthreach
with TUi. No report from no matter how Negotiating Forum which rarely seem to That leads me on to Youthreach. One of
exalted a body will be allowed to make actually solve anything. By contrast we our fears with regard to researchers is of
inroads into our terms and conditions or could look at the FeT Stakeholders’ and ending up with two workforces side-by-
damage our interests. To be clear, we Third Level Stakeholders’ Forums which side, doing almost the same thing, but
want a unified Third Level strategy that TUi pushed to have formed. TUi’s with massive differences in their terms
delivers a coherent and cohesive sector. position and approach was the same in and conditions and their pay. That is the
We fully agree with you on the need for these as in other forums but astonishingly, situation that has developed in
negotiation of new academic posts or from our point of view, agreement was Youthreach. We are trying to address it;
roles. reached on many vexed and difficult we have long-standing policy with regard
issues extremely quickly. to the recognition of teaching as really
What is currently proposed with regard teaching and we have brought forward a
to amending the HeA legislation does fall i would also point to a difficulty with conversion process and there is an
foul of the May 2017 Agreement, would employers refusing to jointly refer engagement at the WrC. in these days
overturn what was agreed with regard to matters on and we have recently seen when we do talk about mental health and
Governance structures. Those instances of this in the Labour Court. wellbeing, i am acutely conscious, having
Governance structures had much spoken to many of our members in
discussion to protect regional interests. in Both in Third Level and in Further Youthreach, of the severe distress that
MTU there is a breach in what was education, we are deeply concerned that they feel, precisely because they feel
agreed in May 2017 with regard to we may move into a very fractured undervalued.
representation on the first Governing environment. We are seeing difficulties in
Body. TUi offered a certain ad hoc the inability of TU Dublin and THeA to
approach to meet some of the concerns, reach joint positions; and we have seen conclusion
but we were disappointed with the similar difficulties with sixteen eTBs in closing Minister, i again want to thank
response and we want that matter to be operating sixteen different paths. you for addressing our Congress. i wish
addressed not only in MTU, but for future you the very best and we in TUi look
TUs. We are fully supportive of what you have forward to working with you. As well as
said with reference to the development being partners, we know we will
We would also point to the need for an of apprenticeship. We are the experts. occasionally be adversaries, but always
agreement with regard to online lecturing Possibly no other body has such a from our perspective with a view to the
and the massive workload implications breadth of experience and knowledge. greater good, and with a view to securing
that go with that. We look forward to engaging with you in not just decent terms and conditions for
driving on what can be done to further our members but the best educational
develop that very important pathway. service that we can possibly provide.
Whatever is developed, we should try to
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‘if education really has the value we all agree it
does, then as a nation let us put our money where
our mouth is’
Some key points from President Martin Marjoram’s response to Minister for
Education Norma Foley on Wednesday, 7th April.
there is much we agree on allocation in the same light. We learned
There is much we agree on. Most about it from leaks and distressed texts
especially on the great power of and emails from members. it directly
education to bring about equality and to overthrew previous direction to the
combat disadvantage. We look forward to system from your Department on which
working collaboratively with you in we had been consulted in advance. This
advancing that joint ambition. came from your Department to us in
good faith, we recognise, and we in good
faith consulted with our members on that
We hate surprises… basis. The balance of confidence on which
Minister, TUi hates surprises. all COViD matters hinge has suffered
hugely.
We first met on 1st July 2020, my opening
day as President of TUi and very shortly
after your appointment as Minister. One We never sought priority before
point i stressed to you, and on which you other groups in terms of MArTiN MArJOrAM reSPONDiNG TO
gave a firm commitment, was that there vaccination MiNiSTer FOLeY
would not be surprises – that all We never sought to advance ourselves
significant decisions and policy changes before other groups in terms of
affecting members would be notified in vaccination and we fully support that provision over the Summer – where
advance. those most vulnerable to serious illness hours are assigned to an individual
should clearly be prioritised, as well as student but a fully registered teacher
TUi is justly proud of our professionalism. does this work, meaning entering a
those in health.
You and your officials will be accustomed student’s family home.
to TUi’s detailed submissions and For all of the science you state is at the
presentations and know the extent to heart of the change, and which we fully in all the above cases it tends to be
which that improves your Department’s respect, nothing makes it sensible for me younger teachers doing this valuable and
outputs. Our comprehensive advices to (who spend my days on Zoom or Webex) necessary work.
members are widely admired, even to be vaccinated before any teacher going
outside our own organisation. We take if not vaccinated now, how can they in
into a crowded classroom every day.
great care to be accurate and, for all of confidence do it? All of this, and indeed
indeed, the NiAC advice regarding risks
the inevitable and at times necessary the Leaving Certificate examinations in
arising from severe disease is premised
disagreement that might arise, there is a June, may be impacted by failing to do
on having already been infected – let us
delicate mechanism between TUi and the what we believe is right.
not overlook the increased probability of
Department of trust and confidence, built catching the disease in the first place
on correct information and guidance. This because of operating in particular Bureaucratic overload
is vital in our role as a representative environments. We acknowledge the thanks that you
body. Hammer blows against that careful
have extended to us. Certainly, in TUi, we
balance are damaging. Leaving aside the standard crowded
know only too well the enormous
classroom, let us consider the other
For example, you will know that the contribution of teachers to their students
particular areas of concern.
information we sent to our members on through this unprecedented crisis. We
last year’s Calculated Grades was Special Schools: TUi have teachers in have indeed, as you have generously
checked with Department officials Home economics, Maths, Woodwork, acknowledged, moved heaven and earth.
beforehand, which made it all the more other subjects; resource teachers in We have taken on an enormous
disappointing when the highly sensitive special schools in close contact in a additional workload. We would point out,
rank order data was treated different environment than the standard though, that there was a high workload
fundamentally differently from what was classroom; resource teachers in special there already, due to high class sizes,
agreed, something we first learned about classes; teachers doing Summer provision: bureaucracy and initiative overload. And
in the media. these are second level teachers who we would like your help, Minister, in the
work in June and July dealing with future in removing as much of this as can
We see the reversal regarding vaccine students with additional needs; home be done, in order to focus on the key
8 May 2021 - TUi NeWS
tui neWs
priorities – on the key priorities of a decade on, pay discrimination nothing without high calibre teachers in
teaching and learning. continues those classrooms.
Minister, i’m going to read you a motion
from Congress: it may be said, as you have pointed out,
leaving certificate that the Building Momentum pay
issues Congress instructs the Executive that agreement, with its additional incremental
We acknowledge your recognition that Government plans that new entrants to the skip, and with its sectoral bargaining fund,
the new arrangements are on a no public service will have a reduced salary provides a mechanism to address
precedent basis and we certainly look are wholly unacceptable. Congress instructs outstanding issues. Minister, the new
forward hopefully to a return to measure and the available 1% are not
the Executive to resist this disgraceful plan,
normality in the coming year. if, as seems enough to close the remaining gap. We
likely, there need to be adjustments to
nationally through cooperation with other also need, and i point this out very
accommodate the difficulties faced by this public sector Unions, and in TUI importantly, because it is not in the text, a
year’s fifth years for their Leaving workplaces through industrial action if cast-iron assurance that this limited
Certificate, we will look forward to early necessary up to and including strike action. measure will apply to future entrants.
engagement on that and, hopefully, early Please Minister do not oversee the
indications to the system of what may This is a motion that was carried creation of a new discrimination.
come forward. unanimously. it is a motion i proposed to
TUi Annual Congress 2011 – when it had if this continued inequality is not
With regard to Senior Cycle review, we become apparent that the protections in addressed, the profession suffers. in our
certainly welcome your comments. We the Croke Park Agreement (which were view, if addressed using the sectoral
are committed to positive engagement later broken anyway) against further bargaining mechanism, which would need
and will continue to engage as we have pay-cuts for public servants did not several iterations in order to fully take
already done. And we re-iterate our extend to colleagues to be appointed in care of the difficulty, then a gap will open
commitment and see the need for a re- the future. Congress 2011 was appalled up between teachers and the rest of the
iteration all round to the Statement of and spoke with one voice against a public sector because we will be forgoing
Principles and the implementation measure it found disgraceful. Numerous pay rises over the course of time in order
document on the new Junior Cycle. And other motions decried the measure, to address an issue which we did not
we would point to the need for the some spelling out in gruesome details create.
Junior Cycle reforms to be fully what was about to be inflicted. Little
reviewed, in order to inform what could i have imagined that 10 years later i We believe this issue, and all of our
may come forward for the Leaving would stand here, in a haircut i gave research with the assistance of our
Certificate. myself, referring to this motion as though Principals’ and Deputy Principals’
it had just been submitted because it is Association – it points to the direct
still as relevant today. connection between this inequality and
the recruitment and retention crisis in
‘devastating effect’ of posts of Minister, this attack on those then our Post-Primary schools. We do not
responsibility cuts and historic entering teaching was an act of vandalism believe that the Teacher Supply Action
lack of investment against the profession. it must be ended. Plan can address that crisis unless the pay
We point out, as we have done before, is not a decade of discrimination enough? inequality issue is addressed properly.
the devastating effect of the enormous
reduction in Posts of responsibility in While the poison afflicts other
schools through the austerity years and recruitment grades, for our second level
we would hope to see the full restoration members about 40% are suffering under We want to work
of those posts in the coming years. this gross inequity. Their morale constructively
Teachers are leaving the profession for undermined, their mortgage options Minister, with the exception of certain
other reasons, but certainly this is one – limited, their professionalism next to family milestones, it has been the honour
the lack of a career progression; and their colleagues undervalued and of my life to be in a leadership position of
there is also the difficulty of Principal and degraded. in our most recent survey of extraordinary educators at this very
Deputy Principal teachers being members, a third of our lower paid difficult time, and this is something i think
appointed with no middle management colleagues see the removal or not of this i may well share with you. i look forward
experience. discrimination against them as the Minister to continuing to work
determining factor in whether or not constructively with you. We have laid out
ireland found itself in a particularly they will remain in the profession. our agenda and we recognise that there
difficult position regarding the return to are areas of disagreement, as there always
school in the pandemic because of our These members of ours, these teachers must be. But Minister, we commit to
abnormally large class sizes. Surely, we up and down the country, are the being constructive and to engaging and
must learn a lesson from the experience. foundation on which the next several we do wish you well in your continued
it is essential that we begin to plan decades of irish education will rest. time as Minister of education.
immediately for corrective measures. inheritors of one of the nation’s proudest
if education really has the value and deepest traditions, they are also key
we all agree it does, then as a nation creators of its future. All the investment
let us put our money where our in the world in bricks and mortar, in iT
mouth is. and lab equipment, in the classrooms
appropriate for the 21st century,
necessary as that will be, will count for
www.tui.ie - TUi NeWS 9
tui neWs 10 May 2021 - TUi NeWS
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Minister acknowledges that calculated Grades
and accredited Grades systems do not
represent a precedent
in her address to TUi’s Annual Congress The Minister described teacher
on 7th April, Minister for education conferences as a celebration of the
Norma Foley confirmed that, as TUi has ‘energy, enthuasiasm, talent and
always made clear, the Calculated Grades commitment that is at the very heart of
and Accredited Grades systems ‘do not the education sector’ and outlined the
represent a fixed precedent for future often ‘grimly hard’ experiences in
senior cycle reform.’ schools in recent times as a result of the
pandemic.
The Minister acknowledged that TUi ‘have
been advocates for carefully considered She outlined the terms for ‘new entrant’
reform of the Senior Cycle’ and teachers in the Building Momentum
emphasised the ‘need to make sure agreement – an agreement which the
Senior Cycle provides a sound Union’s executive Committee
educational experience for students. recommended not be accepted because
Senior Cycle needs to build on the of its failure to end pay discrimination –
strengths of what works well now, and it stating that she recognised that TUi MiNiSTer FOLeY ADDreSSiNG
also needs to address the current and members ‘would like to see further action ANNUAL CONGreSS 2021
future learning needs of all types of on pay’ and that her Government
learners and schools.’ ‘remains committed to making
The Minister concluded that it was
further progress over its term.’ Her
Minister Foley said that while Senior ‘nothing short of remarkable, in the face
Department would be engaging directly
Cycle arrangements will evolve and of an unprecedented pandemic, the
with the TUi on ‘some of the issues they
change, they must do so in a way that manner in which school staff have
wish to see advanced’ as part of the
commands the confidence and support of successfully readjusted, reconfigured and
sectoral bargaining aspect of the
teachers, other stakeholders and wider reimagined the traditional teaching and
agreement.
irish society. learning experience.’
16 May 2021 - TUi NeWStui neWs
simon harris becomes first Minister for
further and higher education, research,
innovation and science to address tui’s
annual congress
Simon Harris became the first Minister pointing this out for decades but it
for Further and Higher education, remains undone. This means we have yet
research, innovation and Science to to reach our full potential.
address TUi’s Annual Congress on 6th
April. in his opening comments, the it has allowed a points race get out of
Minister said that the establishment of control and place appalling levels of
the new department provides a massive pressure and stress on young people in
opportunity to apply a new focus to our country. it has allowed an almost
further and higher education and also to elitist mindset emerge which defines
the research agenda. success in some people’s mind on where
you went to college rather on what you
‘in my nine months in this role,’ the want to do in life and how best to get to
Minister said, ‘i have heard first hand from that point. it has failed to recognise the
TUi members across the country and i brilliance of further education and
have heard from students and learners as training and how this should not just be a MiNiSTer HArriS ADDreSSiNG
i have been making virtual visits to fall back option for students but for many ANNUAL CONGreSS 2021
colleges, adult education centres, should and can be a first choice. it has
Youthreach and eTBs. And today i wanted allowed skills shortages in key areas to
to be here to say thank you. Thank you develop. it has ignored the worrying huge value of Youthreach
for your flexibility, dedication and agility dropout rates from higher education. ‘i could not finish an address to your
during the COViD-19 pandemic.’ So things must change. They must change Congress without paying particular
quickly.’ tribute to all of you who work in
Some of the issues addressed by the Youthreach. i am aware we have issues to
Minister are set out below: apprenticeships work through and that must advance
‘We have so much more to do. quickly. But today, i just wanted you to
funding know that some of the most incredible
‘We have made some progress in recent Our plan will seek to continue to expand meetings i have had in recent months
years and investment levels have apprenticeships across a wider range of have been with staff and students in
increased but it is not where it needs industries alongside supporting and Youthreach. This is an initiative i want to
to be. growing the traditional craft champion as Minister. it has turned the
apprenticeships. We will take specific lives of so many people around. it has
This new dedicated department will seek actions to ensure more female rebuilt people after a difficult experience.
to rectify that. We expect the final report participation in apprenticeships, more it has supported people going through
on the future funding of the sector in the apprenticeships in the regions and challenges. it has provided education,
next few months and i want you to know crucially, more apprenticeships in the opportunity, respect and hope to so many
two things: i don’t intend to be dusting it public service.’ people and their families and their
or seeking a shelf to stick it on. i intend communities. it is an example of ireland
to act on it with government colleagues technological universities at its best. We must build on it. We must
and to engage with our stakeholders.’ ‘i know many members here are cherish it.’
currently engaging on the issue of
adult education Technological Universities in their own conclusion
‘The days of adult education being areas. ‘The work of this new department – and
overlooked are over. i am here to provide i am proud to be its first Minister – is the
a focus, an energy and a priority in i look forward to engaging with the TUi building block of everything we want to
Government and in policy making that is on how funding models can be improved see for the future economic and social
urgently needed, long overdue and to recognise the unique situations faced life of the country when we have
essential to our future wellbeing as a by Technological Universities and i emerged from the pandemic.Your work
country.’ commit to a programme of investment in and that of your students and learners
new Technological Universities including means there is hope for the future.’
need for integrated third level expansion of campuses in Waterford,
sector Carlow and Wexford.’
‘We need a fully integrated third level
sector in ireland. People have been
www.tui.ie - TUi NeWS 17tui neWs
tui in the media
The following is a sample of issues recently addressed by TUI representatives
in the national media
‘I’m down €80,000 over a career...
doing same job for less pay is kick in
the gut’ - TUI Executive Committee
member David Waters discusses pay
discrimination in Irish Independent -
5/4/21
At current reckoning, the teacher of english
and history will end up being paid about
€80,000 less over his career than, for instance,
someone who started in the classroom two
years before he joined in 2012.
“i am nearly 10 years in the job, and doing the
same job as another teacher, might even be
teaching the same students, but you don’t feel
as valued. it’s a kick in the gut,” he said. David
TUi PreSiDeNT MArTiN MArJOrAM ADDreSSeS NATiONAL MeDiA AT ANNUAL
is one of the growing number of teachers
CONGreSS 2021 recruited after January 2011 who are being
paid less than those who joined before the
austerity-era salary cuts that were imposed
The Teachers’ Union of ireland has called for they would have spent on face-to-face that month.
the provision that has allowed pregnant delivery.
teachers to work remotely during the Covid- ________________
19 pandemic to be continued after the easter 'Our Annual Congess is not a
‘Pay parity still not achieved… post-2011 whingefest...' Opinion editorial by TUI
break. TUi President Martin Marjoram said teachers still down €80,000 in career
pregnant members of the union were finding General Secretary Michael Gillespie in
earnings – this will also be a major issue at Irish Times on 5/4/21 in which he
the lack of clarification extremely stressful. our Congress… United Nations and World
“We are calling today on the Department of identified and explained key issues of Annual
Health Organisation have called for Congress 2021 including COViD-19 related
education to alleviate the serious worry and prioritisation of teachers in vaccination
concern that this is causing by announcing that matters, pay discrimination, third level funding,
programmes.’ TUI General Secretary issues in the FeT sector and general
these teachers will continue to be allowed to Michael Gillespie discussed pay
work remotely, should they choose to do so”, underfunding of education.
equality issues and the vaccination
he said. Call for pregnant teachers to programme on RTE's Today With Katie ‘The 8 per cent fall in applications for second
continue remote working - RTE Hannon 3/4/21 level teaching courses through the CAO this
30/3/21 year shows the damage that a decade of pay
________________ discrimination has inflicted on the profession’s
Calls for more teachers and funding attractiveness, as does the huge struggle
‘The position of the TUi has always been that in schools ‘to help pupils catch up' -
the most vulnerable in society should be school principals continue to face in terms of
Irish Independent 5/4/21 teacher recruitment and retention across the
vaccinated first, including the elderly and those Schools are going to need more resources
with underlying health issues…we’re country and across the breadth of subject
next year to help students catch up with what areas. With student numbers set to rise
disappointed that the [promised] prioritisation they lost in the pandemic, according to a
has gone… We have a very young teaching sharply in the coming years at second level,
teachers’ union. More than nine in 10 (93pc) resolution of this gross injustice must take on
profession, they will now be very far down the teachers have noticed disengagement by some
list based on age profile.Yet Government has a new urgency.’
pupils since the switch to remote learning, ________________
prioritised the opening of schools, so they are according to a survey by the Teachers’ Union
working in one of the few areas in the State of ireland (TUi). While 75pc of teachers ‘We want equal pay for equal work. New
opened.’ TUI General Secretary Michael reported that student engagement was better entrant pay was cut in 2011, and while it has
Gillespie criticises revision of in 2021 than in 2020, there is much concern improved over the years, these teachers are
vaccination roll-out on RTE's Morning about the extent of the learning loss over the still down €80,000 over the course of a
Ireland programme 31/3/21 past year. career, and most of this is frontloaded in the
early years of their career. This is a
Policing online cheating is adding to fundamental principle – two people doing the
workload, lecturers say - Irish Times same work should get the same pay.’ TUI
2/4/21 General Secretary Michael Gillespie
Lecturing staff in third-level educational previewed TUI's Annual Congress
institutions have experienced a significant including issues around vaccine rollout
increase in workload following the move to and pay discrimination on RTE's
remote teaching during the pandemic, the Drivetime programme 5/4/21
Teachers’ Union of ireland (TUi) has said. ________________
Survey findings released by the union ahead of how Zoom revitalised teachers'
its annual conference next week found 92 per unions - irish times 6/4/21
cent of lecturers saying they were spending Zoom can’t necessarily replace the benefits of
more time preparing and providing remote face-to-face meetings, says Liz Farrell, a TUi
rTe NeWS, 7TH APriL 2021 member and teacher at Coláiste eoin in
classes and carrying out associated work than
18 May 2021 - TUi NeWStui neWs
Third-level system places 'appalling' entering teaching was “an act of vandalism
stress on young people, says minister - against the profession”.
Irish Examiner 6/4/21
Martin Marjoram, president of the TUi, Secondary teachers to consider strike
welcomed the minister’s proposal to make action unless there is end to pay
access to third-level more equitable, adding inequality - Irish Times 8/4/21
that an integrated system would be “valued” Teachers have renewed their call for an end to
by the union. unequal pay scales, which sees those
“We have long championed adult education, appointed after 2011 paid less than their
further education,Youthreach, apprenticeships, colleagues for the same work. Delegates at
rTe NeWS, 6TH APriL 2021 and widening of access to third-level. We have the Teachers Union of ireland’s annual
no time for elitism or for exclusion,” he said. conference agreed that unless measures to
“in an earlier address to Congress, i decried end pay equality are put in place, they would
Hacketstown, Co Carlow. the obsession with CAO points. indeed, i consider strike action. The union previously
“You can’t read the room, feel the atmosphere would welcome a reform to take some of that took a one-day strike action on February 4th,
or respond to people’s reactions, and there pressure away from students and which also 2020, over the issue.
can be distractions online: dogs barking, highlights, for them, their other options.” He “The last strike demonstrated true solidarity
children fighting, bad wifi.” she says. “But it has said it now falls to the minister to address with our members who suffer the outrage of
been useful for people who might have “decades of underinvestment” in higher pay discrimination,” said David Waters of the
hesitated to travel in the depths of winter, education. TUi’s executive committee. “We seemed to be
especially if a colleague could bring them back ________________ making progress last year - before Covid-19
the information. if it’s as easy to Zoom in, that Third-level funding ‘ducked and struck. Schools are reaching a crisis point in
changes things.” dodged’ for too long, says Harris - hiring staff, and pay inequality is at the crux of
Irish Times 7/4/21 the issue. The pay discrimination was brought
Teachers believe remote learning has Mr Harris said that he wanted to see in as a result of the financial crash, but more
led some students to disengage - Irish increased investment and expansion of the than ten years have passed.”
Times 6/4/21 technological universities which have formed Karen Gernon, a teacher with the Dublin
The long-standing issue of pay discrimination from merging institutes of technology. C&C branch, is on the lower pay scale. “Last
has also emerged as a concern given that responding to Mr Harris’s speech, TUi year’s strike action was a success. There was
recession-era pay cuts have not yet been fully president Martin Marjoram said that teachers an appetite for change, and while it was stalled
restored. A significant proportion said they did and lecturers were carrying the burden of by Covid-19, we need to get the momentum
not believe they would be in the profession in “decades of underinvestment”. He said that going.”
10 years’ time. However, if pay discrimination the TUi was not adequately consulted on the ________________
were to be fully resolved, 74 per cent believed additional Covid-19 funding and how it was
they would still be in the profession in a allocated.
decade. “TUi members already faced huge workloads
TUi president Martin Marjoram said that before Covid-19, some of which was purely
although progress had been made in tackling bureaucratic, and measures need to be taken
pay inequality, there was still an €80,000 loss to hire extra staff to relieve that burden,” said
in career earnings, with the largest differences Mr Marjoram.
in salary in the early years of employment. ________________
________________ ‘We’re not arguing with the advice in terms of
‘The dynamic has altered and that’s what the high additional risk faced by people
teachers and students are finding difficult. depending on age, but we would point out the
MiCHAeL GiLLeSPie ON VirGiN
Because there’s no interaction, no movement, additional risks faced by people operating in
MeDiA NeWS, 12TH APriL 2021
because we’re wearing masks, everybody has specific environments and certainly a special
adjusted and everybody has done their best. school, for example, would be one such
But of course it’s difficult to understand, to environment.’ TUI President Martin
hear, to read facial expressions, to know Marjoram discusses position on ‘Now more than ever, adherence to physical
whether you’re getting through, these are vaccine rollout on Virgin Media News distancing is absolutely essential, and anybody
issues that we’re all facing, but i think students, 7/4/21 who has COViD symptoms or is a close
communities, schools, teachers and principals ________________ contact of a confirmed case must stay at
have done a tremendous job.’ Vice Education minister pledges 'further home.’ - Michael Gillespie discussing
President Liz Farrell on the current action' on second level pay - Irish final phase of schools re-opening on
challenges of teaching and learning - Examiner 7/4/21 Virgin Media News, 12/4/21
RTE's Today With Claire Byrne 6/4/21 education Minister Norma Foley has pledged
to make “further progress” on pay issues in Move to sanction students who lobby
‘it is particularly disappointing that the placing the second-level sector over the course of the teachers welcomed – Irish Times
of staff essential to education in the first third Government’s lifetime. Over the past decade, 19/4/21
of the population for vaccine allocation was the TUi has consistently campaigned against “We believe it hugely important that a
reversed so abruptly and so disrespectfully… pay inequality, which sees teachers appointed canvassing ban is put into legislation this year
We have never sought to be advanced above after 2011 being paid less than their as not only will it reduce the pressure on
those most vulnerable to infection or the colleagues. individual teachers, but it will also ensure
most serious consequences thereof, but we “The department will be engaging directly fairness for all students by protecting the
must insist that commitments made on such with the TUi on some of the issues that they integrity of the system,” TUi said.
sensitive issues be honoured.’ Martin wish to see advanced. This is an area where i
Marjoram's address to Annual believe we can make progress over the
Congress 2021 featured on RTE's Six coming weeks,” she added.
One News 6/4/21 in response to the minister, union president
________________ Martin Marjoram said pay inequity for those
www.tui.ie - TUi NeWS 19You can also read
