Secondary teachers are predicted to support a ban on voluntary supervision and substitution work in a ballot result to be announced today.
However, sources said the result is unlikely to mean any immediate disruption to schools, amid increasing internal tensions within the ASTI.
The result is likely to be much tighter than predicted a fortnight ago. The turnout in the vote is expected to be relatively low with some most branches reporting a poll of about 55 per cent: this compares to a 70 per cent turnout earlier this year in the union's ballot on the Labour Court pay offer.
Instead of immediately banning supervision/substitution, the ASTI may seek clarification on the £27 per hour offer. In this newspaper earlier this week, the Minister for Education, Dr Woods, signalled that teachers could met his officials and clarify issues such as the pensionability of the offer. Many members of the ASTI are angry that they were not given a chance to vote on the Government's £27 per hour offer for voluntary supervision and substitution work.
In a boost for the Department of Education, primary teachers in the INTO are today expected to back the supervision deal when its executive meets. Last night, the union was seeking clarification on the issue of cover for teachers on personal leave.
If this is resolved the union seems set to back the deal. The results of a ballot by the other teaching union, the TUI, will not be known for another fortnight.
ASTI members will consider the results of the ballot at an executive meeting tomorrow. It can press ahead with a ban on supervision from about October 22nd or defer action. Some teachers hope an improved offer will be tabled.
Meanwhile, the Department of Education and school managers are continuing to study contingency plans if teachers refuse to do supervision in future.
Offering employment in schools to local people is the most favoured option at present, said sources.
Tension is increasing in the ASTI with some recent executive meetings abandoned. Dublin branches in particular have been critical of the leadership but other members are strongly against re-activating industrial action.
Last night ASTI sources were predicting a tight vote in favour of a ban on supervision. The ASTI executive has recommended withdrawal from voluntary supervision duties.
Earlier this year 57 per cent of members opposed the labour court offer on pay.
It was backed by 43 per cent of ASTI members, even though the leadership strongly opposed it.