TEN Limestone Coast education facilities will be among 183 institutions statewide which will close their doors this morning as public school teachers strike as ongoing enterprise bargaining negotiations with the State Government reach flashpoint.
It will be the first time public school teachers have walked off the job in a decade and follows Australian Education Union (AEU) members collectively endorsing a motion to “condemn and deplore budget cuts and proposed TAFE campus closures”.
Culminating with a half-day strike today until 12.15pm, around 20pc of South Australia’s government schools and preschools will close for the industrial action, which ends at 12.15pm.
But State Treasurer Rob Lucas has been critical of the union and the resulting industrial action, adding the majority of facilities would operate as normal or with modified learning programs, which he claims shows a considerable loss of community and teacher support for the AEU.
“Let there be no mistake – this is a resounding vote of no-confidence in the union bosses whose ill-conceived rush to strike has been shown to be puerile in the extreme,” Mr Lucas said.
“They have shown poor judgment and complete lack of regard for hardworking parents and grandparents in their race to industrial action.”
Mr Lucas said public claims the strike had nothing to do with wages was in stark contrast to the AEU’s demands of a 3.5pc interim pay rise, equating to around $80m a year and nearly double the inflation rate.
According to the treasurer, in addition to a 3.5pc salary rise, the AEU has also asked for:
• Additional salary increases to make up for the “gender pay gap” between education and other industries – possible cost up to $23m annually
• An extra 60 minutes non-instruction time per week per teacher for collaboration with peers and professional responsibilities outside the classroom – possible cost up to $59m annually
• An extra two days sick leave per teacher – possible cost $15.3m annually
• Extra non-instruction time for all teachers for report writing – possible cost up to $28.8m annually
Mr Lucas said it was time for AEU SA president Howard Spreadbury to “come clean” about the full extent of his union’s claims.
“All we’re saying is, if you’re going to put unnecessary pressure on families by creating maximum disruption and inconvenience with very little notice, then the least you can do is be upfront and honest about the motives behind it.”
AEU vice president Dash Taylor Johnson responded to Mr Lucas’ comments yesterday, stating the union’s South Australian branch was yet to formally table a claim for the new enterprise agreement on salary increases and better remuneration to attract and retain teachers, leaders and support staff.
Mr Johnson aired concerns about the retention of teaching staff over the long term, claiming up to 50pc of all teachers leave in the first five years, citing job insecurity and working conditions as reasons for leaving the profession.
“South Australian teachers are the second lowest paid within Australia,” Mr Taylor Johnson said.
“The Marshall Government suggests they want a world class education system – you cannot expect a world class education without world class conditions.”
Mr Taylor Johnson said the seven point plan linked directly to improving conditions and learning outcomes for all children and young people.
The AEU also accused the government of using “delaying tactics” to stall negotiations beyond the current agreement’s expiry date on June 30, which it claims delivered considerable savings in scheduled annual salary rises.
Teachers from across the region will march from the Mount Gambier Railway Lands to the Education Department office on Commercial Street West from 9.30am today.
