Lost Rights Worry Teachers

Date: 02 May 2006

NSW Teachers will have fewer rights to procedural fairness under a bill introduced to State Parliament today, according to their union.

The Teachers Federation condemns the actions of the Minister for Education and Training and the State Labor Government.

Ms O'Halloran, President of the NSW Teachers Federation said:

"The State Government's Bill is about stripping away procedural fairness rights for teachers, not about protecting children.

"This Bill centres tremendous power with the employer of teachers, the Director-General of Education and Training.

"The Bill also contains fewer procedural fairness rights for teachers than that offered to other State Government employees.

"The Federation was given two working days to review the Bill before it entered Parliament. The State Labor Government made no effort to negotiate or consult with the Federation before stripping away teachers' rights. It has also ignored the interventions of UnionsNSW.

"The State Labor Government's modus operandi echoes the worst of employers and is what a trade union would expect from the Howard Federal Government.

"Public education teachers are strong advocates for their students and have regularly exposed the fact that both the State and Federal Government chronically underfund public education.

"The Bill that entered Parliament today will be used to silence teachers", said Ms O'Halloran.

For more information please contact:
President 0417 672 104

For further information

Contact:	Maree O’Halloran
Union:	NSW Teachers Federation
Contact Mobile:	0417 672 104

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