NSW teachers vote to fight
By Tom Flanagan
SYDNEY — At stop-work meetings across the state on February 3, NSW teachers overwhelmingly approved further political and industrial action in support of their demand for a pay rise of 7.5% per year for two years.
The teachers' resolution noted the effectiveness of their campaign so far, including pressuring Labor state education minister John Aquilina to seek discussions with the NSW Teachers Federation. However, the teachers also noted that little progress has been made in these discussions. They voted to back their pay claim with action, including a 24-hour strike in four geographic areas on February 15, 17, 21 and 23.
Rolling stoppages will also be called by union leaders if they judge it is necessary and professional bans will be extended to work conducted outside of normal school hours. The industrial action is to be complemented by a political campaign targeting ALP parliamentarians who have failed to publicly support teachers' salary claims.
Speaking to members through a Sky Channel broadcast, union officials explained why they had rejected the state government's pay offer of 16% over four and a half years. This pay rise has been accepted by the NSW Nurses Association and the Health and Research Employees Association (HREA), and the Public Service Association (PSA) ballot on the offer closes on February 18.
Only 10% of the 16% on offer is funded by treasury, officials explained, and these funded increases, of 2% each year, are below the expected rate of inflation. The remaining 6% is to be paid for by "savings and efficiencies", which will probably mean job cuts and more work for those who remain.
The union also prefers a two-year agreement because it will allow teachers to incorporate the impact of the GST into their claims without a long delay.
Teachers have already rejected the changes to conditions which came with the government's pay offer. Thousands of teachers threw copies of the proposed new award over the fence at NSW parliament in November.
In contrast, the Nurses Association and HREA have accepted considerable changes to their members' conditions, and the PSA leaders have told their members that the government's offer is the best that can be achieved (see article on page 7).