Teachers on the picket line in Sligo yesterday had no doubt about the justice of their cause. They put the blame firmly on the Government for keeping students out of classes.
"Minister, Make a Real Offer" was the message on one placard as ASTI members walked up and down the pavement outside Summerhill College.
A union representative, Mr Brendan Duggan, pointed out that the sun was shining. "The gods are smiling on us, even if Bertie isn't", he said.
The Taoiseach's recent pay rise - "more than a teacher could ever earn in total" - and his willingness to get involved personally in the U2 concert issue were both mentioned frequently.
Mr Duggan said that an ASTI branch meeting in Sligo on Tuesday night had been well attended. Of 300 members from Sligo, Leitrim and south Donegal, about 50 per cent had attended. "People were upbeat, determined and militant."
There was "profound anger" because the Labour Court had "failed totally" to address the issues. The union had already received a 90 per cent mandate against entering the bench marking process and it was not a realistic option, he said.
Teachers from the 55-strong staff said they regretted being back on the picket line but felt they had no alternative. Mr Duggan said they were "acutely aware of the pressures on students and the concerns of parents".
It was also accepted that public support had waned. One passing motorist gave a thumbs-down sign, although a number of others did beep horns in support or in recognition.
Ms Brid McGowan, an English teacher for eight years, said that while people were concerned about how pupils were being affected by the strike, they should also think about what would happen in 10 years. "If we don't do something now in terms of attracting people into teaching, a lot more pupils are going to suffer in the future", she said.
Ms Deirdre Fitzgerald, who is in her first year of teaching, said that the difference between her starting pay and those of her friends who had studied commerce was "ridiculous". They were on a salary of £25,000 while she was working as a temporary part-time teacher for £19 an hour.
She said teacher friends were becoming disillusioned. "I believe passionately in everything the strike stands for and it is very disheartening to have parents against us. And the media have been very unfavourable to us."
Mr Michael Currid, who has taught Irish for 33 years, said something had to be done because teachers' salaries had fallen so far behind other professions.
Most teachers on the picket line said that the job had changed dramatically over the past 10 years. In addition to curriculum changes, they had to deal with much more indiscipline and with pupils' personal problems.
"A lot more parents are working [outside the home] and don't have as much time to talk to their children. We're not just teachers any more - we're counsellors, babysitters and guardians of the peace".
Galway
Striking teachers picketed in the sunshine beneath cloudless blue skies, writes Michelle McDonagh.
Although the Galway ASTI members were fortunate with the weather, they expressed resentment at being "forced into" going out on strike again.
Mr George Moran, regional ASTI co-ordinator, said members were disappointed at the failure of the Labour Court to come up with a tangible solution to the dispute. While the court had accepted that the teachers' pay claim was justified in relation to other graduate groups, it had failed to deliver any result.
Mr Moran added: "It's very difficult on three groups, the pupils, parents and teachers. Of course, the parents and pupils are annoyed and disappointed, and this is difficult for them, but with a little bit of goodwill we could have an interim solution and life could get back to normal."
Mr Seamas Cahalan, a teacher at St Joseph's Secondary School in Galway city, said that the Labour Court had offered them absolutely nothing and had literally cornered them into resuming their strike action. "We absolutely hate the thought of being on strike. Our hearts were in our boots last week and we were praying that the strike would not have to go ahead, but there is nothing on the table at the moment to negotiate with."
The reaction of parents to yesterday's strike had not been too bad, according to Mr Cahalan, and the exam pupils had been pleased to have a full day off to study in the middle of their mocks.
However, he added: "I can only imagine the reaction next week when we are out for two days, with the bank holiday Monday off as well, and then off for three days the following week. When it comes down to it, every teacher is still trying to get the courses covered, and this is putting as much pressure on us as on the lads."