Paul Murphy: Adult education tutors to protest over insecure contracts

Paul Murphy raised concerns about adult education tutors who lack decent contracts, must sign on for social welfare during the summer, and face uncertain hours and annual income. He said the Labour Court had instructed the department to make an offer but no offer was made, and tutors have organised a protest outside government buildings.

Key concerns

Paul Murphy outlined that many adult education tutors are denied a decent contract, forcing some to sign on for social welfare payments during the summer. He highlighted uncertainty about hours and annual income, a pay inequality affecting post-2011 entrants, no opportunity for progression and no pay rises after years of service.

History of complaints and Labour Court action

The issue was described as long-running, beginning with proceedings at the WRC in 2014. Murphy noted that in 2020 the Labour Court instructed the department to make an offer to the workers, but those instructions have not led to a resolution.

Broken promises from the department

Murphy said the department promised in July 2022 that it would make an offer before October, yet no offer had been forthcoming by the time of his speech. He presented this failure to act as a central reason tutors are taking further action.

Planned protest outside government buildings

As a result of the unresolved dispute and unmet promises, tutors have decided to hold a protest on Friday at one o'clock outside government buildings. Murphy emphasised the protest stems from years of what workers describe as begging and asking the government to act.

Responsibility and next steps

Murphy noted that the matter would come under the remit of the ETB or the relevant education and training boards, and he said the issue must be determined through established labour relations procedures and processes.