Federation's major claims for 2008

By

Maree O'Halloran

This year is a critical one for negotiations with the NSW Government.

Salaries awards covering the whole membership as well as the schools staffing agreement are on the line. In addition, we must secure more permanent teaching positions in public education.

More permanent teaching positions would begin to reduce the excessive workload carried by our members. Extra permanent positions would also create more time and real flexibility for school and TAFE college operations (as opposed to expecting people to do more with less).

The claims on the NSW Government are clear and simple:

1. Employ more permanent teachers in public schools and the Department, TAFE colleges, AMES and Corrective Services.
2. Guarantee secure staffing for children and students in more than 2200 public schools in NSW by signing a negotiated statewide staffing agreement for another three years.
3. Increase the salary levels of the whole profession by at least five per cent per annum salary and one per cent per annum superannuation.

Federation will vigorously pursue these claims during 2008. Together they are about respecting and valuing teachers, students and public education.

In concert with these claims, Federation rejects the NSW Government's decision to downgrade teacher education qualifications for TAFE teachers. Such a move is an attack by the NSW Government on the whole profession. It will, if allowed to proceed, damage the quality of education and training in the state. NSW is currently recognised as providing education and training of the highest quality in TAFE and public schools.

Federation Representatives are asked to return the salaries surveys to Federation by February 29 for debate at March Council. While Federation's awards end on December 31, 2008, the Public Service Association (PSA) and the Nurses' Association have awards ending in June 2008.

The PSA has signalled that it will run an award case in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission. The nurses are currently consulting their members about a claim of five per cent per annum salary increase and one per cent per annum superannuation increase.

Given that NSW Treasurer Michael Costa is intent on a 2.5 per cent offer to all public sector employees, the outcome of the nurses' and the PSA's negotiations will affect teachers. This, plus the fact that the staffing agreement ends at the end of term 1, means that members need to be ready for the possibility of statewide industrial action in term 1.

Maree O'Halloran is the President.

Sweeping changes proposed to the staffing system

Statewide staffing system 'the rock'

Equity issue for students

Goodwill would dry up

Maximising chances for all students

Opportunities in the bush

Scholarship attraction based on transfer promise

Teachers speak up for the system

Think about the country

Transfers bring new enthusiasm

Transfers bring new perspectives

For further information

February 2008 contents