Next salaries claim a priority

Developing the next salaries claim is a priority, writes MAREE O'HALLORAN.

The current award ends on December 31, 2005 and salary increase from January 1, 2006 is a Federation priority. For this reason Annual Conference this year initiated the 2006 salaries claim so that Federation could begin negotiating in 2005.

The claim is $75,000 for teachers at the top of the scale from January 1, 2006 maintained in real terms throughout the life of the award. For teachers at the bottom of the scale, the claim is $50,000 from January1, 2006 maintained in real terms. Other aspects of the claim include:

• restructuring of the award so that promotions positions in primary schools are paid the equivalent of those in high schools;
• superannuation betterments in the first instance for those in accumulation-only schemes like First State Super;
• the percentage increase for teachers in promotions positions to be determined after assessing the effect on relativities of the extra 3.0 per cent to head teachers, 4.0 per cent to assistant principals and deputy principals, 5.0 per cent to primary principals, 6.0 per cent to central school principals and 7.5 per cent to secondary principals paid as a result of Federation's successful application to flow on the Catholic Teachers award increases.

The 2006 claim will be finalised at Council following membership consultation. That consultation will include school, college and workplace meetings early in term 1, 2005 as well as an independent, random sample survey of members. The consultation will include questions about the claim itself, public relations issues and industrial tactics.

The consultation was due to take place in term 4, 2004 but has been delayed. Federation is still finalising outstanding matters from the current round such as pursuing flow-on increases for head teachers and other classifications in TAFE and for non-school based-positions. Furthermore, term 4 is such a busy one for members that Federation was reluctant to impose more work at this time.

Maree O'Halloran is the President.

For further information

November 2004 contents