The Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA), the teachers' union, has been totally unsuccessful since its inception at achieving sensible remuneration and employment conditions for teachers, the Employers & Manufacturers Association (Northern) says.

"The PPTA has always insisted our secondary teachers all be paid the same, which is in effect at the level of its least capable member," said Alasdair Thompson, EMA's chief executive.

"It has held our teachers' remuneration to the lowest common denominator.

"It has steadfastly rejected all attempts for teachers to be rewarded on the same basis as other professional vocations which all recognise higher skills and performance with higher remuneration.

"The business community firmly believes 90 per cent of teachers are worth much more than they are being paid.

"Business wants teachers to be recognized on the same basis as other professions with those performing well being paid well, those performing acceptably being paid at acceptable rates, and those not performing not being paid at all.

"The business community, and we believe the community at large, expects teachers to start treating themselves with the same professionalism and respect for which the community is keen to acknowledge them."
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