Teachers warned that pay hikes will be clawed back if Leaving Cert reform is blocked
It said it reserved the right to seek a pause or clawback of pay rises in the event of industrial action or 'non-compliance' with a Senior Cycle Redevelopment plan.
The letter said payment of pay rises worth 1pc under this deal and 2pc under the next, under a special local bargaining clause, are subject to compliance with the deal.
It also says 'outstanding payments' due under the pay deal, which are separate to the local bargaining pay rises, are subject to their compliance.
These outstanding payments include three pay rises worth 3pc that are due to all 400,000 public servants under the deal. They include a 1pc pay rise on August 1, a 1pc pay rise on February 1 next year and another 1pc in June 2026.
The TUI has recommended that its members accept the reform package but the ASTI is not issuing a recommendation to its members on how they should vote.
Students will be awarded a minimum of 40pc of their marks for project or practical work under the reforms that are designed to ease exam pressure on students.
'It should be clearly understood that the benefits of this agreement are dependent on parties to it approving the agreement and complying with it,' said the letter sent on May 8.
'The payment of the 1pc and 2pc element of local bargaining are subject to this agreement being complied with for the duration of the Senior Cycle Redevelopment Programme.
'The department reserves the right to seek a pause or clawback of these increases in the event of industrial action or other non-compliance in the future in respect of Senior Cycle Redevelopment, through the appropriate Public Service Agreement structures.
'The outstanding payments due under the Public Service Agreement 2024 to 2026 are subject to compliance with the PSA, including commitments relating to supporting, and co-operating with, Senior Cycle Redevelopment.'
However, the department said if cooperation ceases at any stage, it t will refer the dispute to dispute resolution mechanisms that are part of the deal.
The letter from Dalton Tatton, assistant secretary general, said the department considers a document it sent the ASTI and TUI as 'a full and final offer' in relation to support measures for this phase of Leaving Cert redevelopment.
Among measures to support the rollout of the reforms, the letter referred to revised arrangements for teachers securing permanent contracts and a 'reconfiguration' of extra hours being worked.
The development of a 'right to disconnect' policy is also mentioned, along with working groups to monitor a programme that relates to AI.
Kieran Christie, general secretary of the ASTI, said the union's ballot will end in June. 'We're balloting our members and bringing the full facts to their attention without a recommendation,' he said. 'We are mindful and our members are mindful of their obligations under the agreement.'
He said the union sees the letter in the 'context of normal engagement in bargaining and industrial relations'. He said the ASTI has been aware of the potential penalties since its members accepted the public sector pay deal and the letter is a 'further elaboration on that'.
It is understood that there is a feeling among a portion of members of the unions that the reforms were rushed and will involve an excessive workload. Sources said there are also concerns around the use of AI and authenticating projects.
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