By Holly Thompson
The West Australian teachers’ union has announced it is now too late to stop strike action that will impact more than 80 schools across the state on Tuesday.
State School Teachers’ Union WA president Matt Jarman said members couldn’t afford fresh fruit and vegetables, were under-insuring their properties and their belongings, and some were moving back home with their parents and were prepared to take action for increased pay.
He confirmed the union was expecting at least 2000 members from regional locations to strike, and more than that from the metropolitan area to join the main rally.
But Premier Roger Cook urged teachers to reconsider the government’s latest pay offer.
“We already have a pay offer in front of the teachers which they are yet to consider, they opted to take industrial action before even considering the updated pay offer that we’ve provided to them,” he said on Sunday.
“We invite the teachers to come back to the negotiating table. We have an offer in front of them. We want them to consider that offer, put it to their members, and then, if they continue to be frustrated, perhaps then they could consider other activities.
“But just at the moment, they should be considering the pay offer that we put to them on April 10.”
But Jarman said they would not put an offer that was only 0.25 per cent above the original offer back before members.
The state recently offered an increase of 5 per cent in the first year, followed by 3 per cent in each of the following two years – a total of 11 per cent over three years.
Initially, they had offered an immediate 4.75 per cent pay rise, followed by 3 per cent in the next two years – a total of 10.75 per cent.
The Union has asked for no less than 7 per cent in the first year and 5 per cent in the second, a total of 12 per cent over two years rather than three.
“If we received the 12 per cent that we’re after then our teachers and our school leaders are back to be where they were when the Labor government first came into office, which was some of the best paid in the country,” Jarman said.
“Right now they’re floundering halfway down those tables. We announced a stop work action more than five weeks ago, we have been in bargaining throughout the last five weeks, and yet no movement (from the government).
“I don’t think the government is in a position to present an offer that we can accept and take to our executive within 24 hours. I think that’s logistically not possible.
“A 0.25 per cent increase from first to second offer is not an offer that we can present to our membership, that is a laughable offer that we would put to our membership and they would reject it instantly.”
The Department of Education has confirmed 83 schools, including community kindergartens, will be affected by the half-day walk-off.
Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti said the government’s offer was a good one.
“We know everyone always wants more, that’s what happens when people bargain for wages,” she said.
“From a government perspective, we’ve got to balance the ability to fairly give wage rises, but also manage the entire budget.
“There’s no need to strike. We’re out there engaging positively … we’re sitting down having that negotiation … allowances for regional WA, career progression, all those things are very much on the table.”
This is the first time teachers have gone on strike in WA in more than a decade. Jarman has not ruled out further industrial action if there is no change from the government.
Comments on WAtoday’s social media channels such as the Instagram post above suggested overwhelming support for the teachers’ action.
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