Members of IMPACT’s education division took part in last week’s rally for pay equality for teachers, which was organised by the INTO and TUI teacher unions. The #equalpayforequalwork event, which gathered at the Dáil last Thursday, delivered a message to Oireachtas members that “pay equality is still very much on the agenda.”

INTO members in Cork simultaneously held a rally at Patrick’s Bridge.

Addressing the rally, IMPACT official Barry Cunningham spoke on behalf of special needs assistants, school secretaries other non-teaching staff.

“We’re here to support the campaign for pay equality because of the great working relationship between IMPACT and members of the INTO and TUI. That relationship has been forged in classrooms and schools throughout the country.

“We work side by side and it’s a source of pride to our members that we are helping to deliver a high quality education experience for every school-going child, including those with special education needs,” he said.

Last September, the INTO secured agreement, under the Lansdowne Road deal, on the full restoration of qualification allowances to teachers who started work after February 2012. However, this did not resolve the issue of equal pay for all those who have entered the profession since January 2011.

The union said it remains determined to progress the issue of full pay equality, and that the rally was part of that work.