In solidarity our strength
By Maree O’Halloran
On behalf of the Federation I congratulate every member for their participation and action on September 17. Your preparedness to take action in solidarity to support the salaries campaign is vital for its success.
The historic and unprecedented nature of the industrial action across NSW, Western Australia and Victoria provides an important platform for our continued campaigning for salaries justice. I ask you to maintain great expectations for the outcome of our salaries case and to stand ready for prolonged action from the start of the 2004 academic year if it is required.
The NSW Government's resolve to deny teachers the full funding commitment given to nurses means that we must be ready to continue the campaign. Public education, health, transport and telecommunications (to name but a few) are the prerequisites for a civil, communitarian and democratic society. While all are critical, it seems apparent that without a thriving public education system, all may eventually founder.
Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy in Burma, was recently interviewed by SBS television. Faced with insufficient funds for education and health, she indicated that her first priority would be education for the future of her people. Of course, Australia and NSW do not face such terrible and invidious choices. Australia is a relatively affluent nation that spends less than the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development nations' average on education.
Despite its rhetoric, the NSW Government can afford to pay the Vinson five per cent catch up and ten per cent per annum for teachers for two years.
It's all about political choices. Federation's radio advertising in the lead up to and following the September 17 action emphasised this issue. These commercials have certainly raised the ire of the Premier, who accuses the union of lying. What amazing hypocrites members of the NSW Government are! In November 2002, a Government media release entitled "Carr launches major teacher recruitment drive" recognised the worldwide teacher shortage and the need "to attract our best and brightest to teaching". On the eve of our industrial action, Deputy Premier and Education Minister Dr Andrew Refshauge stated in a media release entitled "Facts about Casual Teachers" that the "State Government today made it clear there is no shortage of teachers across NSW". This statement flies in the face of evidence produced by principals demonstrating that in 250 schools in NSW over one week, 750 classes went without their teachers for a day. In Government double speak there is no shortage of teachers, it's just that some schools are short of teachers.
On August 22 when visiting Melville High School in Kempsey to receive the $500 donated by teachers to save public education (Education, September 1), Dr Refshauge was given detailed information about the effect of the casual teacher shortage in students at Melville High School. I have no doubt that many schools have provided such information to the Government and the Department.
On September 17 teachers from across three states brought to the public domain these key issues:
1. In the face of the looming teacher shortage and the extraordinary work value of teachers, a significant breakthrough in teachers' salary levels is both required and warranted.
2. This outcome must be fully funded by the Government to protect the public education budget from further cuts.
The rallies and other events were magnificent, ranging from huge numbers outside Parliament House in Sydney to a historic meeting of Victorian and NSW teachers on the bridge connecting Wodonga and Albury.
Professor Vinson nominated
Teachers in NSW also took the occasion of September 17 to overwhelmingly endorse Professor Tony Vinson for the inaugural "Meritorious Service to Public Education Award". We hope the Government chooses to so honour him. His service to public education is undisputed.
Protecting teachers
The significant response to the Federation's August 2003 violence audit provides clear evidence that the Department has been systematically under-reporting violence against teachers. At our meetings with Dr Refshauge on August 11 and September 1, Federation emphasised that this was not a matter we want played out in the media. We will provide the Government/Department with a plan to solve the issue, however, it is up to the Government to provide the needed resources.
Defeating the Howard agenda
The Howard Government denies that public education is a federal as well as a state government responsibility. This perversion of common sense, history and the constitution must be defeated. Federation will be campaigning to ensure that public education is a major issue at the next Federal election whenever it is called.
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September 2003 contents
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