Casual Teachers’ pay guaranteed on Queen’s holiday

NSW Teachers Federation has secured a guarantee from the Department of Education for casual teachers engaged to work on the public holiday on 22 September, set aside as the National Day of Mourning for the Queen.

Whenever a public holiday is announced, there are always concerns around pay and employment, especially for the 1000’s of casual teachers across NSW that were employed on this day.

As a result of this public holiday being called on such short notice, it was imperative that representations be made to the Department on behalf of casual teachers to secure a commitment that they will be paid on the public holiday.

Federation President Angelo Gavrielatos said ‘it’s been a very difficult time for our casual teachers and it is only right that their work was guaranteed on this day noting extra-ordinary circumstances’.

Through this action Federation was able to secure that casual teaching will be paid for the 22 September public holiday if they were booked prior to 11 September.

The Department has advised Federation it will contact casual teachers booked through ClassCover. Whilst Principals were instructed to contact any casual staff booked directly by the workplace (not through ClassCover) to let them know they will be paid in Term 4. Payment will be through the usual casual timesheet submission, which can be completed in early Term 4. It’s not expected that the payment be processed in time for the next pay period or this term, but should be done early Term 4.

As stated by the Department of Education’s Chief People Officer ‘this was an unexpected public holiday called at short notice, the booked hours should be honoured on this occasion, if they were cancelled on or after 11 September. They will be paid through the regular casual timesheet process’

Every teacher knows that our schools cannot survive without casual teachers. As such, Federation ensures that every teacher regardless of casual, temporary, or permanent employment status, is granted the hours that were agreed upon. Federation will always advocate for our casual teachers to be engaged and paid as per their entitlements, even under extenuating circumstances, consistent with procedures for the full-time workforce.

If you encounter issues regarding this, or for more information please contact Professional Support on 1300 654 369.