Calls today from the Australian Education Union bosses for further negotiations on teachers’ pay is nothing more than grandstanding.
The Government has met to negotiate in good faith with the union on numerous occasions, and has asked the union to come back to the negotiating table this week.
Tasmanians are rightfully wondering why there are threats of more disruptive industrial action next year when a six per cent pay rise offer has been tabled with the union which they have not even taken to members or bothered to make a counter offer on – this is not negotiating in good faith.
The Government’s offer also seeks to improve terms and conditions for teachers including a commitment to employ an addition 95 specialists teachers, on top of the 250 teachers committed to at the election, addressing workload concerns, and reduces teacher classroom contact hours.
It’s about time AEU bosses put more time into negotiating to deliver Tasmanian teachers a well-deserved pay rise and less time on political stunts which achieve nothing.
More Media Releases from Jeremy Rockliff
More Media Releases from the Minister for Education and Training