BY JOHN GAUCI
SYDNEY — More than 800 schools were shut down in NSW on September 17. The 24-hour strike also closed colleges and TAFEs across NSW, as tens of thousands of primary, secondary, TAFE and trainee teachers took part.
The industrial action was provoked by the Carr government's insulting 3% per annum pay offer to NSW teachers, its plan to axe 1000 jobs in the Department of Education and the introduction of student TAFE fees of up to $1000 per year.
Up to 10,000 teachers, as well as high school and TAFE students, rallied at Hyde Park and then marched on State Parliament, shutting down Macquarie Street for an hour.
"We're sorry to cause disruption, but this shows how strongly NSW teachers feel", NSW Teachers Federation president Maree O'Halloran told the rally.
Teachers and students flew home-made, school and NSW Teacher's Federation banners and chanted "Six per cent is a disgrace. Pay us all a decent wage" and "We are here, we are strong, your 3% is just plain wrong!".
There were solidarity greetings from the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, the NSW Trades and Labour Council and the Victorian Australian Education Union.
Teachers also delivered thousands of letters to the state government demanding a 25% wage increase. "The stronger the action by teachers, the better the result will be in this dispute", Auburn High teacher Jackie Killen told Australian Associated Press. "I know teachers who are leaving the profession because they can't afford to pay the mortgage and raise a family on this kind of pay."
Unfortunately, further state-wide industrial action will not take place until the 2004 protected bargaining period. The NSWTF is considering the possibility of two-day or week-long industrial action. If so, this decision will be put to members via SKY-TV channel linked meetings.
From Green Left Weekly, September 24, 2003.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.