THE Teachers Union of Ireland have voted overwhelmingly not to back merger plans for institutes of technology. The union have told their members that from Monday April 4 they are to not co-operate with the merger of any of the IT’s. There is a dispute between IT staff and the previous government over the merger of ITs. This includes the proposed Munster Technological University, which will merge IT Tralee and Cork Institute of Technology. The decision to strike was backed by 85% of Institute of Technology members at the TUI national conference in Killarney, which is ongoing. Reasons for the dispute include protection of terms and conditions of staff along with the regional provision of courses. In January, Cork County Council backed a motion calling the government to suspend the colleges forming a Munster Technological University and to enter into meaningful talks with unions.

#TUI 85% of 4,000 #IoT members backed industrial action up to/strike action -ceasing cooperation with merger activities from monday.

— Ingrid Miley (@ingridmileyRTE) March 30, 2016