Friday May 24th, 2013

The Executive of the Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT) has decided that it will hold a ballot of members on the Haddington Road Agreement, but only following a special Consultative Conference of members, which will take place on June 8th next.

Following a three hour meeting today (May 24th), the Executive decided to convene a special consultative Conference of members, after which it will decide whether to recommend Acceptance, Rejection or to take no position on a subsequent ballot of all members.

In the meantime IFUT will be seeking legal opinion on the legal and constitutional validity of the proposed government legislation aimed at imposing its proposals.

Clarification of points of detail on the revised proposals will also be sought in advance of the Consultative Conference from the Labour Relations Commission, government or as appropriate.

Commenting on the situation, IFUT General Secretary Mike Jennings said: “When a government gets away with breaking a solemn National Agreement, it poisons the atmosphere for all future negotiations.”

ENDS

For further information on this press release please contact:
John Gallagher, John Gallagher Consulting Tel. 087 9369888

Mike Jennings, General Secretary, IFUT Tel. 087 6776747