Stoppages by SA education workers

By Melanie Sjoberg

ADELAIDE South Australian schools began term two on April 29 with last minute attempts to prevent industrial action being thwarted.

The South Australian Institute of Teachers and Public Service Association have been locked in negotiations over workload and wages since early February. This is in addition to SAIT/AEU spending nearly two years pursuing a federal award for teachers.

The state Liberal government is not willing to agree to SAIT/AEU moving to the federal system. The government offer of a 12% pay rise over two years contains a clause requiring the unions not to pursue federal claims and to accept the 1995 budget staffing cuts as trade-offs.

Despite government rhetoric about genuine negotiations, its representatives persist with stalling tactics. Even the state Industrial Relations Commission has been unable to break the deadlock. Both SAIT/AEU and PSA have supported the involvement of the federal IRC to assist in reaching a joint federal/state agreement.

Union members within the Education Department have made it clear that workload and class sizes are equally as important as a pay rise. The overall commitment to the quality of education is understood to be central to the battle.

SAIT and PSA members have endorsed a wide range of industrial bans. In addition, schools are undergoing rolling stoppages by area. More than 200 schools in the northern region closed for half a day on May 1. Another stoppage on May 8 is expected to involve 150 schools.

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