The general secretary of the Association of Secondary Teachers has indicated they may be planning strike action in the near future.

The union has voted unanimously to continue its opposition to the Government’s Junior Cycle reform proposals.

The ASTI has directed its members to refuse to provide cover for any teaching colleagues involved in training linked to the reformed junior cycle.

The move affects up to 3,500 ASTI members based in about 160 second-level schools around the country

Kieran Christie the general secretary of the ASTI was asked if further industrial action is on the cards.

“Anybody who is reading the papers is well aware that right across the public service there’s a lot of disquiet… There’s every possibility that we could be in for difficult times ahead.”