Happy member...Tanya Walsh.

Member receives $10,000 backpay

By Owen Hasler

A temporary teacher has benefited from her Federation membership when she recently received $10,000 in back pay.

Tanya Walsh, who has worked for four years in temporary and casual teaching positions, joined Federation earlier this year in order to attend the Beginning Teachers course conducted in Uralla on February 3.

When reading Federation's casual and temporary handbooks Ms Walsh recognised that her previous non-teaching employment had not provided incremental progression.

Ms Walsh discussed the matter with Federation during the course and applied for a salary and status review.

She was ecstatic when she received news of her progression from step 5 to step 8 with the $10,000 retrospective payment.

"I was very pleased with the outcome of my on-line application", Ms Walsh said.

"I would encourage all beginning teachers to join the Federation in order to be informed of our rights.

"It is really nice to have my prior employment acknowledged and feel sympathy for new teachers who cannot claim for prior employment outside teaching.

"I have passed on the very valuable information to teachers who I know are in the same position," she said.

"The fact that prior employment outside teaching is no longer recognised by the Department of Education and Training since October 2004, is an injustice to many people," she added.

Owen Hasler is a Country Organiser.

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