A  NEW  YEAR  MESSAGE FOR 2022

Athhliain Faoi Mhaise

The Pandemic is still here and one has to exercise personal responsibility by adhering to the public health guidelines.  We are especially grateful for the vaccines and more recently for the boosters.  One thinks of those who are struggling with ill-health, the weight of years and the carers.

It is regrettable that RSTA gatherings, foreign travel and Christmas lunches had to be cancelled or postponed once again. 

The National Committee is involved in the process of planning for the Annual National Conference in Killarney from 3rd to 5th May 2022 and for the celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the RSTA.  Thanks to the Kerry RSTA branch for the organisation and the assurance of a comprehensive programme of events which will comply fully with relevant public health guidelines.

May the new year bring hope, courage and endurance to all peoples, especially those uprooted from their homes by violence, hunger, climate change and poverty.

The National Committee is grateful to all the members for continuous support of RSTA during the Pandemic by membership renewal.

Go mbeirimid beo ag an am seo arís.

Pádraic O'Doherty

RSTA President

JUST  RETIRED?

Congratulations to all our teaching colleagues who have just retired.  RSTA applauds the sterling service you have given especially during the difficult circumstances which the current pandemic has visited upon our school communities.  We wish you many years of happy and fulfilled retirement.

We are delighted to welcome those of you who have already registered with RSTA.  We hope that you will encourage your fellow retirees to join with us in the same spirit of solidarity which sustained us all during our teaching careers.

We are hopeful that branch social events and outings will gradually become a part of our lives during the coming months.  In the meantime, to get a flavour of what the RSTA is about in more 'normal' times we direct new members to recent issues of the RSTA Newsletter on the NEWS page of this website. See the Branches section of this site for contact email addresses and activities of your local branch.

REMINDER TO BRANCHES

As you see from the notice above, recently retired teachers are referred to the website for information about RSTA and news about their local branch news and plans. A number of RSTA branches have begun a phased resumption of activities and details are available in the Branch Activities section of this website.

Please email notices of your branch's planned activities to: rstamayobranch@gmail.com and they will be posted here.

BUILDING MOMENTUM - PUBLIC SERVICE AGREEMENT 2021/22

A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater, was due on October 1st 2021. A further 1% increase is due to be paid in October 2022.  Both of these increases will also apply to pensions.

Update: The 1% increase which was due on October 1st 2021 was not applied to pension payments issued on 14th and 28th October 2021.  The increase, inclusive of backpay to 1st October, was included in pension payments issued on 11th November 2021.

We refer members to the September 2021 issue of ASTIR (Page 10) for informarion on negotiations on the use of the Sectoral Bargaining Fund which is provided for under the Building Momentum agreement.

The text of the Agreement together with a Frequently Asked Questions document are available to read and download at the following links:  Building_Momentum.pdf         FAQ.pdf