The Government welcomes the decision by the AEU Executive to unanimously endorse the Government's offer put to the AEU yesterday.
The offer ensures that teachers will receive a fair and affordable pay rise of 2 per cent in the first year, 2.5 per cent in the second year and 2.5 per cent in the third year. There are also a range of improvements to current terms and conditions, which along with wage increases above 2 per cent have been offset by savings and efficiencies agreed between the union and the Government.
We welcome the AEU’s support for a range of savings and efficiencies that will enable the delivery of a wages outcome that does not increase the cost to the budget bottom line but delivers more teachers, significant improvements to terms and conditions, better resourcing of class rooms and a headline wages outcome of 2 per cent, 2.5 per cent and 2.5 per cent.
Critical to the agreement has been the AEU this week moving away from a 3 per cent per year pay rise demand. The Government has consistently said from day one that such a pay increase was simply not affordable for the budget.
Agreement with this offer will mean that the Government can proceed with our plan to employ hundreds of additional teachers and support staff for our schools.
I welcome the AEUs efforts this week to negotiate a fair and affordable agreement with the Government, and I hope that teachers will endorse the offer as the AEU Executive has unanimously done.
We would hope that other unions now follow the lead of the AEU to deliver a fair and affordable wages offer to their hard working members.