'The Department is pushing through the contracts... Most of us still have to sign on in the summer.' James O'Keeffe a veteran campaigner for the regularisation and improvement of Teachers in Adult Eduction across the Education Training Boards in Ireland.
Three years into the union-centred fight Tim O'Riordan told People Before Profit's Paul Murphy TD 'We haven't been offered a Teachers Contract. We've been offered a contract which is basically Youthreach Resource Worker Contract... Youthreach Workers are not recognised as qualified teachers. They are recognised as non-teaching staff. That's now what's being offered to us.
'We've been offered a contract as non-teaching staff. And that is what the government is putting into classrooms... a two-tier system... in adult education at the front of the class: non-teaching staff!'
He continues, 'We are all qualified and registered... We Are Teachers.'
Government ministers and TDs came out to meet protestors self-organised from around the country under the banner of the Adult Education Teachers Organisation who voluntarily put together the union members and non-union members that have been active keeping this vibrant necessary sector alive in our communities. They've organised protests around the country and made real gains while driving unionisation from below.
These men and women have done each other a great service highlighting the issues for the last three years, and winning progress.
It's time government actually did change and studied the lesson these teachers have prepared and present so clearly.
Asked how our people can support the campaign James O'Keeffe said:
'1. Contact Adult Education Teachers at aeto2021@gmail.com to commit your branch or union or personal support for their next action.
2. Send a message of support to your local ETB Adult Education Centre (aeto2021@gmail.com for advice).
3. Tell your local TDs they should support Adult Education Teachers' campaign against the cheapening of Adult Education.'
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Link to Paul Murphy's Video with Tim O'Riordan here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DwfVBydBy/
