Teachers planning national strike: [1 - All-round Country Edition]
Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 30 July 2003: 1.
Abstract
Teachers unions in NSW, Victoria and Western Australia plan the first co-ordinated interstate walkout on September 17, blaming frustrated pay claims and state governments ignoring demands for smaller class sizes and better conditions.
NSW teachers yesterday voted overwhelmingly to strike after the Carr Government offered a "miserable" 6 per cent pay rise in response to their 25 per cent pay claim.
NSW Education Minister Andrew Refshauge said the Government did not support strike action.
TEACHERS in three states are poised to take unprecedented 24- hour strike action.
Teachers unions in NSW, Victoria and Western Australia plan the first co-ordinated interstate walkout on September 17, blaming frustrated pay claims and state governments ignoring demands for smaller class sizes and better conditions.
NSW teachers yesterday voted overwhelmingly to strike after the Carr Government offered a "miserable" 6 per cent pay rise in response to their 25 per cent pay claim.
Victorian teachers agreed a fortnight ago to support interstate strike action after the Bracks Government returned their 10 per cent pay claim with a maximum offer of 3 per cent.
The executive of the West Australian branch of the Australian Education Union will vote on Friday or Saturday on whether to join the action if their claim is not met by the end of the week.
President Pat Byrne said West Australian teachers asked the Gallop Government six months ago for a 10 per cent pay rise and to address class sizes, student behaviour and "bureaucratic" workloads placed on teachers.
"It's likely the executive will decide it is unhappy with the lack of response and it will then consider the options," she said.
While teachers in Queensland and the ACT also are considering taking part, teachers in South Australia and the Northern Territory have recently settled pay claims, but will lend in-principle support to the strike.
Almost 25,000 public school teachers in NSW stopped work yesterday for two hours to consider striking.
NSW Teachers Federation president Maree O'Halloran said teachers wanted an immediate 5 per cent pay rise followed by a 20 per cent increase over two years.
"Only just over 100 (teachers) voted against the strike," Ms O'Halloran said.
"This level of support for industrial action is
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unprecedented. The teachers have quite clearly rejected the Government's miserable offer and indicated they are prepared to take industrial action to get salary justice."
The federation will put its pay claim to the NSW Industrial Relations Commission on September 10.
Ms O'Halloran said teachers were "bitterly determined" to fight for better wages and conditions. They and their interstate colleagues were particularly concerned that, without more attractive salaries, the profession would struggle to attract and retain people.
NSW Education Minister Andrew Refshauge said the Government did not support strike action.
"All it does is penalise parents and students," Dr Refshauge said. "I recognise that teachers play an invaluable role but this is about what the Government can afford and what the taxpayer can afford."
Every 1 per cent the Teachers Federation sought would cost taxpayers $52million a year, he said.
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