Govt-Teachers Must Keep Talking

Date: 14 April 2000

NSW Labor Council secretary Michael Costa today called on the Carr Government and the NSW Teachers Federation to continue discussions over the school holiday period to try and resolve their ongoing dispute prior to the next school term.

"I am disappointed that there is still no agreement - given the significant progress that has been made since negotiations began; but I don't believe the parties are that far apart," Mr Costa said.

But he said he understood why the teachers' leadership had refused to recommend an acceptance of the agreement; as there were assurances being sought by the government that most unions would find difficult to endorse.

"The requirement for unqualified commitments in relation to industrial action, particularly the imposition bans, is something that no union would accept," he said.

"Further, it is unrealistic to expect that a range of pre-existing award applications by the Federation should be discontinued.

"I have contacted the Minister for Education's office and am seeking an urgent meeting with him to focus on these outstanding issues.

For further information

Contact:	Peter Lewis
Union:	Labor Council of NSW
WWW:	http://workers.labor.net.au/

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