THE Minister for Education faces the prospect of industrial unrest in schools as well as the disruption of her plans for education reform following the decisive rejection yesterday of her £66.7 million pay deal by two teacher unions.
The new Leaving Cert courses and programmes such as sex education are the likely first casualties of the vote by members of the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI), and the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI).
Reforms proposed in last year's White Paper, such as the regional education boards and new boards of management in primary schools, may also be delayed.
A small majority of all teachers actually favoured the deal, thanks to a clear Yes vote in the largest union, the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO), which completed its ballot two weeks ago.
However, the second level unions are now likely to debate calls for a policy of non co-operation with the Department of Education at their conferences at Easter. Industrial action will also be mooted, though this would not take place before the autumn.
Fianna Fail yesterday placed the blame for the result squarely on the Minister. The party's education spokesman, Mr Micheal Martin, accused Ms Breathnach of spreading "negative vibes" by claiming that teachers were not putting in enough hours.
The leadership of the second level unions will also come under attack at the conferences for failing to deliver a package acceptable to the membership.
In particular, the decision by. TUI members to ignore their executive's call for a Yes vote could have dire consequences for the union leadership.
The INTO last night signalled its intention to have the deal implemented at primary level. However, any move to have pay increases implemented in the primary sector only is likely to be blocked by the other unions.
Ms Breathnach acknowledged the results as a "setback" which gave rise to "a situation of considerable complexity" because of the common system of salaries and allowances for both primary and second level teachers.
TUI members voted by 60 per cent to 40 per cent against the offer, on a 82 per cent turnout. Among ASTI members, the vote for rejection was even more decisive, 63 per cent to 37 per cent, on a turnout of 61 per cent.
Emergency talks on the future of the package are likely to convened early next week following preliminary contacts yesterday between Department, officials and the unions.
The general secretary of the Irish Vocational Education Association Mr Joe Rooney, welcomed the TUI vote. "We rather have the matter sorted out in talks than see it become a divisive issue in the schools," he said.
Ms Breathnach already faces, separate industrial action over a pay dispute involving officials in the Department's exams branch. An overtime ban by members of the CPSU is expected to cause delays in the printing of exam papers if it continues after Easter.
