Work now begins for Catholic sector

General Secretary of the Victorian Independent Education Union, Deb James, today welcomed news of an agreement between the Brumby Government and Victorian teachers, but said it now signaled the start of their negotiations.
“Overall, it’s been a great outcome for teachers and the future of the State’s education system,” Ms James said.
“We are particularly pleased to see that the poor teacher pay issue has been addressed and Victoria’s State school teachers are set to become the highest paid in Australia.
“The removal of the lowest two bands on the teachers’ salary scale is particularly good news for graduates and will encourage school leavers to choose teaching as a career. It will also hopefully help stem the tide of teachers that we are seeing going interstate or overseas to get better pay.”
Ms James said the final agreement between the Brumby Government and Victorian teachers was of great importance to Catholic teachers, as they are traditionally paid on parity with their government counterparts.
“While the agreement is great news for State teachers, it signals the start of a big task ahead for us.
“Our negotiations with the Catholic employers have effectively been on hold until the State agreement was reached and now our collective bargaining will begin. Maintaining parity of wages and improving conditions will be high on our agenda,” she said.
In March this year about 4,000 Catholic teachers and staff protested in Melbourne, Mildura, Sale,Wodonga and Warrnambool, against the Brumby Government’s failure to properly pay Victorian teachers. During the last three weeks, Catholic school teachers have been out meeting with their local MPs and MLA, urging the State Government to act. Catholic school parents have also taken part in a postcard campaign calling on Premier Brumby to increase teacher wages.
“Our members have certainly been out there, having their voices heard and expressing their own opinions and support for an increase in wages and conditions,” Ms James said.