The teachers will join Catholic school teachers throughout NSW and ACT in walking out of work today in support of better pay and conditions.
More than 17,000 teachers and support staff in 540 Catholic diocesan schools throughout NSW and the ACT have voted overwhelmingly for the right to take protected industrial action in support of five key claims for their new enterprise agreement.
The Independent Education Union has been negotiating a new enterprise agreement for its members in Catholic diocesan schools throughout NSW and the ACT since January, calling on employers to increase teachers’ pays by 10-15 per cent over two years.
The union also wants paperwork cut and for teachers to have more than the current two hours a week release from face-to-face teaching, as well as an end to staff shortages.
It also wants school support staff to have pay parity with colleagues in public schools.
The union’s NSW/ACT branch president Chris Wilkinson said teachers were totally exhausted and could give no more.
“With the chronic shortage of casuals, teachers and support staff are being asked to take extra lessons and double classes on top of their teaching load, which takes away precious planning and preparation time.
The unios said Catholic School employers had followed the NSW Government’s lead in limiting pay rises to 2.04 per cent, which they label a “short-sighted approach” that has resulted in a staffing crisis.
St Michael’s Parish School teacher Tina Pisasale said today’s strike action was not something the teachers took lightly.
‘’The last time we went on strike was about 10 years ago,” she said.
“We just want all the dioceses and government to think about what is happening.
“We’re totally passionate and hopefully with improved working conditions for teachers there will be improved outcomes for students.”
Miss Pisasale said teachers were being “overwhelmed” by the continual extra demands of teaching.
“Teachers feel teaching is affected because of all the extra stuff we are asked to do,” she said.
Miss Pisasale said the current two hours release from face-to-face teaching was not enough time to get everything teachers were expected to do done.
“I don’t know any teachers who don’t work half a day on weekends to make sure they are ready for the week, and a lot are taking stuff home at night,” she said.
“There is a huge workload on teachers that I don’t think people understand.
“I love teaching — it is a wonderful profession — but I can see the tolls it takes on people’s life and family life.”
Miss Pisasale said a pay increase could help stem the flow of teachers leaving the profession and encourage others to take up teaching.
“In country NSW schools are finding it difficult to get casual staff when permanent staff are sick or take personal leave,” she said.
“A bit of an increase in pay might make people think about becoming teachers.”
9°C