Two of the three main teachers' unions are planning to resist the introduction of performance-related pay as part of the next national wage agreement.
The Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI), which represents teachers and lecturers at second and third level, has threatened to leave the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) after its public service committee agreed to negotiate with the Government on performance-related pay.
The Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) is also opposed to the proposal and is likely to form an alliance with the TUI over the issue.
The general secretary of the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) and ICTU vice-president, Senator Joe O'Toole, has said there are "many obvious opportunities arising" from performance-related pay. The TUI executive will meet on Friday to discuss the issue and the executive of the ASTI is expected to meet on Saturday.
Mr Joe Carolan, TUI president, said yesterday the union would "totally oppose" the introduction of performance-related pay and would forge alliances with other public sector groups also opposed to it.
Mr Paddy Healy, another TUI member, said the Government would find it "impossible" to bring in "objective performance indicators".
The teachers' unions oppose individual appraisal of teachers' performance, and Mr Healy said the union and teachers did not accept assurances that this would not be introduced.