Minister Bruton’s Disastrous Bullying Tactics Raises his Fitness for Office

The Workers’ Party has condemned the provocative and regressive handling by the Minister for Education, Mr. Richard Bruton, of the current teachers’ dispute. The demands of ASTI members stand up to scrutiny as being fair and reasonable. Far from being extreme they simply demand what our Employment Equality legislation already stipulates: that is that no-one can be treated less favourably than any other person on certain grounds including age.

“Discrimination is outlawed and this includes the payment of different pay rates for work of similar value. Equal pay for equal work is enshrined in Ireland’s legislation. Therefore, the demand that new teachers be paid equally is totally justified and in accordance with legislation. Indeed the government is in breach of Employment Equality laws.”

“Given the will to do so this issue could easily be resolved. On the second issue that of Supervision and Substitution (S&S) the Minister is acting in an extreme and provocative manner. Teachers have been carrying out S&S duties unpaid for years now. In September the Department while paying TUI staff refused to pay ASTI staff. Despite this ASTI teachers continued to fulfil these duties for no payment. They cannot reasonably be expected to continue to do so and it is therefore justifiable that they cease S&S as and from November 7th.”

“Much of the chaos in our schools at this point is caused by the Minister’s irresponsibility and punitive manner of dealing with the grievances. Even those hostile to ASTI point to the craziness of paying parents and others to carry out S&S duties while having qualified and vetted staff within the schools ready, willing and able carry out those duties but whom the Minister refuses to pay. This defies logic and exposes the Minister’s total disregard for children and raises doubts as to his fitness for office.”

“The Minister’s recklessness in dealing with an issue vital to many thousands of families is deeply worrying. At this stage one must ask does the minister want all schools to close indefinitely. How representative is this of the Fine Gael – and Fianna Fail supported – government? Who is Fine Gael representing in over-riding all the legislative measures that improved and modernised Irish society over recent decades? Whose agenda are they setting in dragging the Irish people and particularly young people back to the frugality and hair shirt politics of a bygone era? They are certainly not representing the interests of our young including our young teachers. ”

“Finally, The Workers’ Party calls for the revoking of the unnecessary FEMPI legislation (Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013) which was introduced according to the last Fine Gael government because we were in a financial ‘emergency.’ Such legislation allowed the anti-worker assaults that the government has become accustomed to. The time is overdue for government to act in a civilized manner befitting a country of the 21st century. Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald certainly needs to declare her stand on this issue since she cut her political teeth in women’s fight for equality. What is her stand at the flouting of equality legislation and above all what is her stand on equal pay for equal work for our young people?”

ENDS

For further contact Anne Finnegan, Workers’ Party Education Spokesperson, Chairperson Dublin Mid-West Constituency.  Telephone  087 950 7076 (mobile)