More than 1000 teachers expected to rally in Adelaide CBD on Thursday during strike

Teachers demanded the State Government deliver an immediate pay boost of almost double the inflation rate as talks broke down last month, ahead of a vote to back strike action that starts tomorrow.

• Public school teachers vote to strike

Teachers demanded the State Government deliver an immediate pay boost of almost double the inflation rate as talks broke down last month, ahead of a vote to back strike action that starts tomorrow.

As parents brace for school shutdowns sparked by a union vote on Monday, The Advertiser can reveal a standoff over demands for an “interim” 3.5 per cent pay rise is a key sticking point in the showdown.

That comes despite the Australian Education Union’s leadership publicly insisting the battle is over conditions and student support, and has nothing to do with money for teachers and or members.

Australian Education Union members rallying outside the Department of Education building last month.

Last night, about half of all schools and preschools had advised the Education Department of their plans. About one in five of those will shut.

In a letter to Treasurer Rob Lucas and Education Minister John Gardner on October 17, AEU SA President Howard Spreadbury warned that progress on a deal was breaking down and an “interim salary increase” was needed to get negotiations back on track.

The letter stated that union executives would meet later in the month to discuss the Government’s response.

“South Australian teachers are currently the second lowest paid and the hardest working in Australia. This is unacceptable to AEU members,” Mr Spreadbury’s letter states.

“Despite meetings with Government negotiators occurring on a weekly basis since early term 2, 2018, progress on reaching a new agreement has been limited.

“To date, the employer has failed to outline its proposals.

“The employer’s bargaining tactics have unreasonably delayed the reaching of an agreement. Therefore, it is our expectation that the Government will offer education workers an interim salary increase of 3.5 per cent whilst negotiations continue.

“All parties’ interests will be best served by continuing negotiations, rather than reaching an impasse.”

The Government and AEU are currently seeking to strike a three-year deal. It is understood the 3.5 per cent demand was to apply immediately, ahead of a wider agreement.

Mr Spreadbury, in a statement last night, said no “formal proposal” had been submitted to the Government on pay. He said delays forced by the Government meant an annual salary rise date passed on June 30, and the department was making savings as talks dragged.

“Whilst the AEU has yet to table a formal claim on salary increases, better remuneration to attract and retain teachers, leaders and support staff, it is only one part of the AEU’s seven point plan,” Mr Spreadbury said. “The industrial action on Thursday is a direct result of the Marshall Government’s failure to listen.”

Mr Lucas said union claims that pay was not motivating the strike had been exposed as “untrue” and demands were excessive. He said separate requests for bonuses to close gender pay gaps had also been made.

“The Government is putting in huge amounts of additional money to education,” Mr Lucas said. “The bigger the salary increase ... the less we have for literacy and numeracy programs or new entrepreneurship programs and phonics checks for Year 1 students.”