Wage dispute sees teachers walk out

A DISPUTE over a 2.7 per cent wage increase for Catholic teachers will climax in a day-long closure of at least two Toowoomba schools tomorrow.

Students at Mater Dei School and St Mary’s College have been told to stay home as teachers take a full day of industrial action.

Another two schools – St Joseph’s School in Stanthorpe and St Joseph’s College in Toowoomba – will remain open despite a reduced workforce.

Union members say teachers’ increasing workload was not recognised by the 2.7% wage offer.

Staff will be paid at their current rates until an agreement is reached

Our advice to employers has been to close the schools, but most have been determined to stay open.

and back-pay can be arranged.

Terry Burke from the Independent Education Union of Australia said schools that were determined to stay open could be putting students at risk.

— Terry Burke

“Our advice to employers has been to close the schools, but most have been determined to stay open,” he said.

“In many cases, given the number of staff participating in strike action, it will not be physically possible for schools to maintain the regular level of support and supervision to students.

“My understanding is that there won’t be any (Catholic) school that won’t take the action.”

Catholic Education Office director John Borserio believed the union’s figures were skewed.

“There are 32 Catholic schools in the Diocese of Toowoomba and only two are closing,” he said.

“Only 10 per cent of staff covered by the agreement voted (to go on strike).

“Employers are continuing to negotiate with the union to reach an agreement as soon as possible so staff and school officers can receive their salary increases and back-pay.”