Teachers may be required to work a longer school year and agree to a series of new work practices in return for a substantial increase in pay.
The Department of Education is set to demand a series of changes in teachers' working arrangements at meetings of the benchmarking pay review body on teachers' pay, which begin today.
The INTO and the TUI will today make the case for pay increases of up to 34 per cent to the body.
In its submission to the benchmarking body, the Department of Eduction complains about what it calls the "inflexibility" in the working hours of teachers.
The Department is likely to push for a series of sweeping changes which may include;
An end to the practice in which schools are closed to facilitate in-service training. (Primary schools will close for six training days in the current school year.)
A longer school year, especially at second level, where schools are open for 167 days per year.
Co-operation by teachers in the new inspection system known as Whole School Evaluation.
The return of parent/teacher meetings at night or in the evenings to facilitate working parents.
The INTO general secretary, Senator Joe O'Toole, has compared the benchmarking body to an ATM cash machine. But it is clear that teachers will have to agree to some changes in return for substantial pay increases. One leading trade unionist said last night: "There will be plenty of gain, but there will also be some pain".
The benchmarking body is due to make its pay recommendations next June.
The TUI is seeking an increase of 34 per cent and the INTO is seeking about 26 per cent. The ASTI has refused to co-operate with benchmarking, which it has claimed will lead to an "industrialisation" of the education sector.
To support their case, both the TUI and the INTO will highlight the modernisation of the education sector, with new courses and greater choice for pupils. Both will also highlight the increasing difficulty faced by principals in recruiting staff.
Both unions want to cut the lengthy 25-point pay scale for teachers which means that teachers must wait 20 years or more before they reach the top of their scale. This is far longer than is common elsewhere in the public service.
School managers have also expressed dissatisfaction at in-service courses being held during term time.