Council to decide on December 2 action

By Dennis Long

On November 29, Federation Council will consider a recommendation from Executive for industrial action on December 2.

The Council will consider the Government's response to Federation's salary demands and the progress of the case in the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) to determine whether a Sky Channel meeting "is to go ahead or whether greater action is warranted".

Federation Executive on November 11 heard reports on the failure of the Premier to meet with the union's Senior Officers or respond to correspondence, the failure of the Government to agree to full funding and the continued questioning of the evidence presented to the IRC by Federation witnesses. "Accordingly", Executive recommended December 2 to Council "as an appropriate date for a Sky Channel meeting of members to determine future action".

November Council will also consider the recommendation to be put to members at the Sky Channel meeting.

Executive noted that the State Government continues to "threaten the funding of public education by refusing to fully fund the decision" if teachers are awarded more than three per cent per annum by the IRC.

The State Government also continues to "denigrate and devalue the profession in the IRC". A combined legal team representing the Government under direction from the Department of Industrial Relations (Minister John Della Bosca) and the Department of Education and Training (Minister Dr Andrew Refshauge) is believed to cost the taxpayer thousands of dollars per day.

Federation is concerned that despite the promise that a new award would be in place on January 1, 2004 the course of action by the Government will "potentially delay the award" past that date. The Government has not as yet agreed to any payment from January 1, 2004.

Executive noted that the IRC "does not have the authority to change" the Government's course of action:

"October Council, therefore, called on the Senior Officers of the Federation to meet with the Premier to change the Government's position. To date the Premier has refused to meet with the Federation."

The Executive recommendation allows arrangements to be made for a Sky Channel meeting if considered appropriate by Council. Executive took into consideration year 6 to year 7 orientation days, departing year 10 assemblies, the availability of broadcast facilities and Sky Channel venues holding end of year events.

Dennis Long is the Editor.

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