Clare teachers say they are striking today for the principle of "equal pay for equal work".
ASTI members have taken to the picket lines outside schools around the county on the first of seven planned strike days nationwide.
Currently teachers hired after 2011 are earning less than colleagues hired before the downturn, however the Education Minister claims there's a very substantial deal on offer to address this.
Meanwhile, the Education Minister says he's disappointed that schools are closed due to strike action by the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland.
Richard Bruton says there's a very substantial deal on offer that addresses the issue of pay for recently qualified teachers.
He's also hit out at the ASTI for demanding equality but unilaterally withdrawing from supervision and substitution, saying others are completing the Croke Park Agreement hours.
