Teaching unions have announced they will ballot members for industrial action unless the government comes up with an offer they deem acceptable as part of public sector pay talks.
The ASTI insists it's entering pay talks in good faith, despite preparing a ballot for strike action over pay.
The union, which represents secondary school teachers, says the government needs to offer a significant pay rise to meet the rising cost of living.
The Irish National Teachers' Organisation, which represents primary school teachers, is also planning to ballot its members in the coming weeks, while the Teachers Union of Ireland also expected to put a vote to teachers.
