Teachers begin work‑to‑rule, affecting non‑teaching duties

From Monday, thousands of teachers across Ireland will start the first stage of a work‑to‑rule campaign, withdrawing from non‑teaching duties covered by the Croke Park hours.

The action will impact duties such as student supervision, substitution, planning and staff meetings. In primary schools the Croke Park hours total 36 hours a week, while post‑primary schools allocate 33 hours.

Members of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) will join colleagues from the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) and the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) in the rollout. All three unions are also preparing for a proposed nationwide strike on 14 October, which could see hundreds of schools close.

The INTO warned that primary pupils are unlikely to be on school premises outside normal school hours during the dispute, and that schools should inform parents if adequate supervision cannot be provided. Staff and parent‑teacher meetings scheduled outside school hours will also be cancelled.

Teachers are joining more than 100,000 public‑sector workers who began a work‑to‑rule last week after delays in a new public‑sector pay deal. ASTI general secretary Linda Kelly said teachers are “really frustrated” by the Government’s approach to pay and cost‑of‑living pressures.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: Caleb Oquendo / Pexels.