Secondary school teachers have warned that they will seek additional pay benefits on the back of the deal the Government agreed with nurses.

The Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) said the deal has “stretched” the public service pay agreement.

The union said it is now time to re-examine the agreement to ensure a ‘fair distribution of benefits' across the public service.

ASTI General Secretary Kieran Christie said it is now time to return to the table.

“The ASTI is of the view that the Public Services Stability Agreement has become stretched and misshapen arising from the nurses’ dispute and the recommendation that came from it,” he said.

“We are arguing that there needs now to be a discussion around that so that benefits will be distributed equally across the public service.”

The union is also seeking redress from the Government over penalties imposed on its members after they engaged in industrial action two years ago.

No such penalties were imposed on nurses for taking part in this year’s industrial action.

Mr Christie said the issue of pay equality “remains top of the agenda” for the ASTI.

“It is entirely unacceptable in this year of 2019 that two workers working side-by-side are paid different rates,” he said.

“That is unacceptable and the ASTI will not stop until that is addressed.”

There is currently a difference in pay for between teachers hired before 2011 and those hired after.