
Issue No 13		14 May 1999

News

Aquilina Urged to Talk as Students Offered Teaching Jobs

Teachers claim staffing shortages in NSW schools have led to student teachers being offered positions before they have completed their training, as they step up pressure on the Carr Government to commence pay talks.


	The Aqulina postcard

Teachers Federation president Sue Simpson says several country schools have made the offer to students placed there, highlighting a crisis in staffing in parts of the state.

And she says the problem will get worse if the Government doesn't honour its election promise to commence meaningful talks with teachers for a new award.

"A significant pay increase for teachers is necessary to ensure that all schools in NSW are fully staffed and casual teachers are available to replace absent staff," she says

The Federation is seeking a minimum of 7.5 per cent per annum pay rise as well as increased pay for casual teachers pay and increased job security for TAFE teachers.

The teachers this week inundated Education Minister John Aqulina with postcards reminding him that he has just seven weeks to strike a new wages deal before the current award expires.

The statewide action, reflects rising concerns that the Carr Government will renege on its pre-election promise to "enter negotiations so the new enhanced Award can be in place on expiration of the current award."

Simpson says the absence of negotiations to date indicates the government isn't serious about fulfilling its promise and will ignore the teaching profession.

"The Federation presented its salaries claim to the Government in August last year, over eight months ago," Simpson says.

"So far there has been no response from the Government, and there have been negotiations despite may requests."

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Issue 13 contents

Interview: Really Caring
Sam Moait will be sending a message from the 48,000 nurses who she represents when she takes her seat at the Drug Summit

Unions: Kicking the Habit
The architect of a trade union drug and alcohol program has revealed his own battle with drugs motivated him to help other workers kick the habit.

History: Remembering BHP: Memory and Industrial Heritage
The announcement of the intended closure of BHP�s Newcastle steelworks heightened the awareness that industrial heritage is more than derelict sites of production.

Review: Ten Songs to Revolution
We ask Labor Council's resident music critic to name the ten songs that define the nineties.

International: Union Lifts Lid on Rio Tinto Shame File
The global campaign against mining giant Rio Tinto has been stepped up with a new report alleging abuses of human rights, environmental and safety standards.

» Unions Warn Carr: Bosses Can�t Veto Second Wave

» Labor Council Backs Harm Minimisation

» Aquilina Urged to Talk as Students Offered Teaching Jobs

» Cutting Through the Budget Crap

» LHMU Demands Y2K Protection for Workers

» Cops Eye Airport Beat

» Spanish Workers Warned on Tax Agents

» Unions to March on Journey of Healing on May 26

» NSW Young Labor Turns 50!