Hundreds of workers are expected to take part in the annual May Day March in Hobart tomorrow

Tasmanian teachers will table a new offer to the State Government this week as the fight for better wages continues.

Clarendon Vale Primary School support teacher Leanne Clifford (left) and Australian Education Union Tasmania branch president Helen Richardson want the teachers’ wages dispute with the State Government to be resolved this week. Picture: JIM ALOUAT

TASMANIAN teachers will table a new offer to the State Government this week with a revised wage agreement and a renewed focus on addressing tough working conditions.

The new offer includes a shift from an annual 3-per-cent pay rise for teachers.

The Australian Education Union says it has been fighting a 10-month battle to ensure Tasmanian teachers are not the lowest paid in the country.

AEU state president Helen Richardson would not elaborate on the new figure or work conditions sought before Monday’s meeting with Government officials.

“We believe that we can put to the Government through our negotiating team something that will deliver not only a pay rise that is commensurate with other states but also solutions to our workload,”

“We know exhausted and overworked teachers can’t deliver the good outcomes that our students need.”

Last month, the AEU Tasmania branch rejected the Government’s latest pay offer of 7 per cent over three years.

This was 0.25 per cent higher than the Government’s previous offer but would have still left Tasmanian teachers as the lowest paid in Australia, the union says.

A Government spokesman said it looked forward to reviewing the offer.

“The Government is committed to ensuring our State Service employees including teachers receive fair and reasonable pay increases and improvements to employment terms and conditions,” he said.

MORE OF TODAY’S NEWS:

ROLLING COVERAGE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS

STOKELL CLAIMS MAIDEN WIN AT TARGA

BRIGHT SPARKS IGNITE CITY SHIFT

‘I’M SORRY FOR FALLING IN LOVE’ WITH KILLER

Clarendon Vale Primary School support teacher Leeanne Clifford said she would like the Government to negotiate in good faith.

“Every day we are in negotiations – and it has been 10 long months – someone’s child is missing out,” she said.

Meanwhile, hundreds of workers and their families are expected to take part in the annual May Day March in Hobart today, to celebrate International Workers’ Day.

Unions Tasmania secretary Jessica Munday said this year’s march was not just a celebration but a rally for change as union members campaign to change the Federal Government.

The May Day Banner Parade will start at noon from the Community and Public Sector Union office carpark at Harrington St, through the Elizabeth St Mall, up Liverpool St before finishing back at the CPSU office.

Road closures will be in place.

[e-mail]