Union puts case for better deal

THE Tasmanian branch of the Australian Education Union has submitted its logs of claims to the Department of Education and TasTAFE as it kicks off a campaign to recruit, retain and better renumerate the best and brightest teachers and support staff.

The claims cover teachers, principals and support staff in schools, colleges and TAFE.

AEU Tasmania Branch manager Roz Madsen said the logs of claims were developed over 18 months.

“To encourage people into the profession and keep them here in Tasmania we need a nationally competitive salary that recognises the important work that teachers and support staff do,” Ms Madsen said.

“Our logs of claims for both teachers and principals under the Teachers Agreement and for support staff under the Public Sector Union Wages Agreement (PSUWA) are about ensuring that every Tasmanian student has access to a quality education, no matter where they live.

“Tasmanian teachers are currently the lowest paid in the country and this will continue under the Government’s two per cent wage cap.”

A Government spokesman said its two per cent wages policy was well known.

“A one per cent additional increase is the equivalent to over 200 teachers, that we wouldn’t be able to employ,” the spokesman said.

“The Government won’t compromise on our plan to invest in the services that students need and deserve.”

The AEU’s Tasmanian members are calling for a three per cent pay rise in the first year of a wage agreement for teachers, then a wage nexus with public sector educators in Australia. They want the administrative burden reduced for teachers, principals and support staff so they have more time to focus on core duties.

“We’re also calling for action on principal health and wellbeing. Principals are doing 60 hour weeks and the stress is having a detrimental effect,” Ms Madsen said.