Working to Rule?

While we await confirmation of the next 24-hour strike planned for Thursday 12th November, I’ve been making contingency plans for teaching. A recent article in the Irish Times states that the Government’s offer is worth about 7.75% over 20 months, which is so far short of the cost-of-living increase required that it is insulting. Given the gap between the two sides I think the strike is highly likely to proceed. On that basis I went out and bought some thermal underwear in anticipation of standing on a cold picket line. The public sector unions have been talking about escalating the work-to-rule (aka work-to-contract) which some unions, e.g. those involving teachers, have been implementing since the start of the dispute. My own Union, the Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT), has not been engaged in a work-to-contract for the very practical reason that academic contracts say very little about working hours or duties. It’s hard to do a work-to-rule if you don’t have any…

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