The Independent Education Union has been negotiating a new enterprise agreement for its members in the 11 Catholic dioceses across the state, asking for a 10 to 15 per cent pay rise over two years, less paperwork, and more planning time.
The union’s NSW/ACT branch president, Chris Wilkinson, said teachers were exhausted and had no more to give.
“We urge employers to listen to teachers and support staff, hear our voices and pay us what we deserve,” he said.
The strike action will include rallies throughout NSW and the ACT, including at Sydney Town Hall.
Spokesman for Catholic employers and director of Canberra Goulburn Catholic Education, Ross Fox, said the decision to strike was “regrettable”, given the disruption parents, students and schools had endured over the past two years.
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“Catholic Education strongly supports teachers and general staff receiving a meaningful pay increase and improved benefits for the important job they do,” he said.
“We’ve responded to all of the union’s claims and offered a range of significant benefits for staff, including a guarantee to at least match any pay increase provided to public school teachers.
“We support and value our staff and remain committed to bargaining in good faith.”
Catholic Employment Relations said it had also already agreed to provide teachers an additional pupil free day in 2022, match extra relief time provided to public school teaches, and improve parental leave for all staff.
Catholic school teachers vote to strike over pay and conditions
Source: Philippines Alive
