Australian Education Union leadership on notice after Hobart colleges pass no-confidence motions

Teachers are unhappy with their union over the latest pay deal — so much so that two Hobart colleges have passed a no-confidence motion in AEU leadership.

Australian Education Union state manager Roz Madsen. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

TWO Hobart colleges have passed motions of no-confidence in the leadership of the education union after it proposed a new pay deal that would cut the earnings of relief teachers.

The Australian Education Union has put to its members a deal that would end a 10-month fight with the State Government and give some teachers a pay rise equivalent to 8.5 per cent over three years.

But it would also have relief teachers’ loading significantly reduced unless they were working in schools that struggled to attract help.

One relief teacher guessed the proposed change – which would effectively cut their pay by 30 per cent – would cost her $150 a day.

TEACHERS WIN BREAKTHROUGH IN PAY DISPUTE

Union president Helen Richardson on Friday defended the proposed agreement, claiming the Government had forced the AEU’s hand.

“Changes to relief teacher loadings are a Government proposal tied to much-needed reductions in primary teacher workload,” Ms Richardson said.

“The Government has refused to compromise on that link and, given the significant benefits of the overall offer to AEU members, elected leader members have endorsed the offer.”

But union members at Hobart College and Elizabeth College say the blame lays with their union and this week passed a motion of no-confidence in its leadership as a result.

Hobart College union delegate Peter Hicks on Friday lashed the proposed agreement as a “stupid idea” and said some union members were now considering quitting.

“My members looked at it and laughed and voted unanimously against it,” Mr Hicks said.

“To be honest with you, I think that the negotiating team has been led down a very, very bad pathway with decisions that basically are unprecedented [and] un-union.”

Ms Richardson said members would have the chance to vote on the deal through its confidential online poll.

“The pay rises the AEU has achieved sets a good benchmark for ongoing public sector negotiations, including TAFE and PSUWA agreements that the AEU is a party to,” she said.

A Government spokesman said: “The wages offer is the result of a negotiation process that the AEU executive has unanimously accepted.”