NSW teachers win pay rise
By Liam Mitchell
SYDNEY — A 14-month campaign of industrial action against the NSW Department of School Education by public and private school and TAFE teachers has won a 16% pay rise for teachers in public schools and TAFE over three years. Private school teachers won their pay rise in May.
Of the extra $465 million being allocated to teachers' salaries, $55 million must come from savings and cuts in the department's budget.
The trade-off with funding for other programs includes changes in resourcing and staffing, including teachers doing more training outside of working hours; a freeze on additional allowances; and budget cuts to funding for teacher supplementation and school budgets.
The trade-off was criticised by the Parents and Citizens Association, which said that it reinforced a view that trade-offs are an acceptable feature of salary agreements.
The NSW Teachers Federation initiated the campaign in July 1995 with a claim for 12% over 15 months with no trade-offs. During the campaign, teachers struck six times, keeping pressure on the government to deliver its election promise to increase teacher salaries.
In March, the government offered a 7% rise, with any further rises linked to productivity increases. Mass meetings of teachers rejected the offer.
Last week's settlement includes some changes to sick pay but no increases in teaching hours and protects teachers' working conditions for three years. The last pay rise instalment is due in January 1997 — three months before the next state election.
Although rank and file teachers had expressed disappointment at the agreement's trade-offs with funding, meetings broadcast through Sky Channel on September 6 voted by a big majority to accept the deal.