Toowoomba Grammar School teachers reject pay offer
Toowoomba Grammar School teachers have rejected the latest wage offer, saying the pay increase did not track with inflation and would leave them worse off. Meanwhile, state school teacher aides are mulling over their own pay offer.
An overwhelming majority of unionised Toowoomba Grammar School teachers have voted to reject their administration’s pay offer.
About half the school’s teachers voted in a ballot over the past week, with 87 per cent saying they did not approve of the pay offer.
Independent Education Union Toowoomba organiser Matt Kliese said the offer was below the consumer price index.
“The employer’s wage offer would have barely kept pace with inflation – failing to match the rising cost of living,” Mr Kliese said.
“Toowoomba Grammar School staff have rejected the employer’s wage plan as it would have disadvantaged them over the long-term, particularly lower-income earners.
“The employer’s unwillingness to provide an improved wage offer was made even worse by its expectation that staff would work additional hours.
“It was shameful enough for the employer to ask staff to work significantly more hours and to add to their already high workload pressures.”
In a statement provided to The Chronicle, Toowoomba Grammar School headmaster John Kinniburgh said the current enterprise agreement conditions would continue to apply until a new agreement was finalised.
“We expect to re-commence bargaining early in the new year,” he said.
“TGS offered its employees a package of conditions which maintained their market leading remuneration and benefits.
“We respect the outcome of the ballot and remain committed to achieving an outcome that supports staff, our community and the sustainability of the school.”
The news comes as Queensland Department of Education cleaners and teacher aides come closer to finalising their enterprise bargaining agreements.
The United Workers’ Union has announced an “in-principle” acceptance of both EBA offers and it will now survey members for their feedback.
The survey will run until December 12, a UWU spokeswoman said.
If approved, teacher aides would receive an 8 per cent pay rise over three years, with a CPI adjustment payment of up to 10.5 per cent.
More money has been offered for the Educational Support for Students with Disability Allowance, along with allowances for aides administering medication to students and more time in lieu for overnight school camps.
Cleaners have been offered the same pay increase, and extra money under the Experienced Cleaners’ Allowance.
They were also offered money and time off for training.
Meanwhile, the Queensland Teachers’ Union and the Queensland Department of Education are set to go into arbitration after members voted to reject the government’s EBA offer, which included the same 8 per cent pay rise over three years.
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Originally published as Toowoomba Grammar School teachers reject pay offer
