Minister Fails to Resolve Teachers

Date: 02 May 2000

Education Minister, John Aquilina has failed to take the opportunity to resolve the long running Public school teachers dispute.

Ms Sue Simpson, President, NSWTF, said today:-

"The Minister failed to take the opportunity offered by the Federation Executive to resolve the long running Salaries dispute by accepting the progress that had been made and having contentious matters referred to the Industrial Relations Commission for a ruling.

"The Federation cannot accept any salaries settlement that would increase teacher work load or discriminate against casual teachers. The Government's proposal would mean casual teachers doing the same work as permanent teachers would receive thousands of dollars less per year.

"At the beginning of the 21^st Century the Government must be prepared to fund pay equity for casual school teachers and remove the exploitation of part-time teachers in TAFE most of whom are women.

"The Federation is not prepared to accept lesser salary increases for public school teachers compared to those achieved by Catholic school teachers just over two weeks ago. The Government largely funds private school teacher salaries.

"The Government's current position would mean that if the Industrial Relations Commission awarded a pay increase to casual teachers, then permanent teachers pay increases would be reduced below 16% to pay for this.

"Teachers in public education will continue to stand up for important principles.

"The Federation Executive has called a 24 hour strike for Thursday 4 May and teachers to withdraw their goodwill given the Government's failure to resolve the salaries dispute.

"The Minister must accept responsibility for negotiations having failed to produce a settlement."

For further information

Contact:	John Hughes
Union:	NSW Teachers Federation
Phone:	0418 423834
WWW:	http://www.nswtf.org.au/

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