The heads of the four teacher unions have announced they will not take part in any talks with the Government on the transformation agenda.

The unions say the decision of the Government to unilaterally cut pay is completely incompatible with social partnership.

In a brief statement, the unions say the government had its chance to talk last week but spurned the opportunity.

It goes on to say that “those talks are over and will not be restarted.”

Meanwhile, the public services committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) is meeting in Dublin today to formulate a strategy of opposition to pay cuts.