The Minister for Education Richard Bruton has confirmed that his department’s latest offer to secondary school teachers is the last.
Mr Bruton’s comments come after ASTI members overwhelmingly rejected the latest offer by the Department of Education.
Mr Bruton said: “I am disappointed with the outcome of ASTI’s ballot on the comprehensive proposals put forward by the Teachers’ Conciliation Council.”
“I note the decision made by the members of the union to reject the proposals and in consequence, to reject the Lansdowne Road Agreement. It is regrettable that many ASTI members will now suffer permanent financial losses and loss of other benefits as a result of this choice.”
“As I have stated previously, the proposals represented the final outcome of the process and there will be no further offer made to ASTI. The Government is committed to continuing to work with unions inside the agreement in progressing consideration of pay and conditions issues.”
It is now believed that members of the ASTI will forge ahead with plans to hold further strike action in an effort to force through their demands.