Our voice is being heard. The NSW Labor opposition has come out in strong support of allowing the NSW Industrial Relations Commission (NSWIRC) to determine the value of work performed by teachers and school support staff.
The Independent Education Union of Australia NSW/ACT Branch, which represents 33,000 teachers and support staff in the non-government sector, welcomes a proposal that would enable the NSWIRC to determine fair salaries for teachers and support staff beyond simply applying an arbitrary wages cap.
Since 2011, running a work-value case in the NSWIRC has been futile. It has been hamstrung for more than a decade, with no choice but to implement the NSW Government's restrictive wages policy.
"Restoring independence to the NSWIRC is essential," said IEUA NSW/ACT Branch Secretary Mark Northam.
"The NSWIRC must be able to resolve protracted, complex disputes such as those endured by teachers, school support staff, nurses, and NSW public servants this year. It must be empowered to carry out its functions."
Although Catholic school employers are not bound by the state industrial relations system, they have long hidden behind the NSW Government's wages policy. They have also failed to address chronic workload intensification in their schools.
"The offer made by Catholic employers last week would do nothing but lock in cuts to real wages right up until 2025 in the face of acute staffing shortages," Northam said.
"Catholic employers have stayed silent on the sidelines for too long. It is time for them to back in their teachers and support staff by negotiating in good faith with their union."
