Positive steps forward for teacher pay

The NSW Industrial Relations Commission (NSWIRC) should be allowed to determine the value of work performed by school staff, according to the NSW Opposition.

The Independent Education Union of Australia NSW/ACT Branch, which represents 33,000 teachers and support staff in the non-government sector, has welcomed a proposal that would enable the NSWIRC to determine fair salaries for teachers and support staff beyond simply applying an arbitrary wages cap.

According to the union, since 2011, running a work-value case in the NSWIRC has been futile, as it has had no choice but to implement the NSW Government’s restrictive wages policy.

“Restoring independence to the NSWIRC is essential,” said Mark Northam, IEUA NSW/ACT Branch Secretary.

“The NSWIRC must be able to resolve protracted, complex disputes such as those endured by teachers, school support staff, nurses and NSW public servants this year. It must be empowered to carry out its functions.”

Although Catholic school employers are not bound by the state industrial relations system, the union said that they have “long hidden behind the NSW Government’s wages policy” and have also failed to address chronic workload intensification in their schools.

“The [recent] offer made by Catholic employers ... would do nothing but lock in cuts to real wages right up until 2025 in the face of acute staffing shortages,” Northam said.

“Catholic employers have stayed silent on the sidelines for too long. It is time for them to back in their teachers and support staff by negotiating in good faith with their union.”

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