[Greens-Media] Teachers industrial action forced by Rees govt intransigence

[John Kaye]

Teachers industrial action forced by Rees govt intransigence
 
Media release: 19 November 2008
 
The failure of NSW Education Minister Verity Firth to take control of
salary negotiations with the state’s teachers has resulted in this
morning’s stop-work meetings, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
 
Dr Kaye said: "Teachers are being confronted with an offer from the
Department of Education and Training that amounts to a pay cut.
 
"Without unacceptable trade-offs that would damage education and the
profession, the Department’s offer would leave teachers' salaries
falling behind inflation.
 
"This is a particularly bad time to attempt to cut incomes in schools
and TAFE colleges.
 
"With sixteen thousand teachers expected to retire in the next four
years, the Rees government should be working hard to make education a
more attractive career choice.
 
"Slashing salaries and working conditions will leave the public
education system struggling to replace retiring teachers.
 
"The department also wants to slash sick leave and impose draconian
conditions for teachers with serious, long term illnesses.
 
"In a work place that exposes teachers to infectious diseases and high
levels of stress this is deeply unfair and will undermine morale.
 
"Minister Firth must step in and stop her department's war on the
education profession.
 
"Today’s stop work meeting has been forced on teachers who are
determined to protect public education from the devastating consequences
of the Department’s salary cut and conditions trade-offs.
 
"If Minister Firth cares about the future of schools and TAFE colleges
she will step and resolve this issue with an outcome that respects the
professionalism of teachers," Dr Kaye said. 
 
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455