DianaVictorian Teachers Sold Short in Pay Deal (LINK)
May 5th 2008 03:59
Jubilation in our school staffroom at recess today as news came in that the AEU had signed an agreement for the pay structure for Victorian teachers.
By lunchtime, that euphoria has soured somewhat as the realisation hits us that we have been served a bum steer, yet again. (does anyone know what a bum steer is, actually...?)
It appears that the AEU has capitulated too soon on the negotiations.
With a Government anxious to avoid 'unpleasantness' over the forthcoming AIMS Tests (read strike action) and keen to present a united front with teachers for the forthcoming budget, the union were in an excellent position to drive a hard bargain.
Instead, we have supposedly signed for the following things:
1. $1000 up- front payment for every teacher, payable now (um, what is that for? bribery?)
2. ten more minutes in the classroom each day (er,excuse me?)
3. all pupil-free days to be taken in term one only (what is the point of that stipulation?)
4. senior teachers to receive up to $10 000 in pay rise, spread over three years (what does 'senior teacher' mean? and what about other, supposedly 'junior' teachers?
(these terms went out a long time ago, so don't know where the Government got hold of them)
Now that last point is not really great, because though it pays lip-service to trying to keep up with NSW (who have already negotioated to pay their teachers $11 000 more than Victorians) by the time the $10 000 kicks in Vic will be behind again.
Not good enough AEU: say no and drive a harder bargain!!!
What do you reckon?? Gotta go and teach, chat later...
By lunchtime, that euphoria has soured somewhat as the realisation hits us that we have been served a bum steer, yet again. (does anyone know what a bum steer is, actually...?)
It appears that the AEU has capitulated too soon on the negotiations.
With a Government anxious to avoid 'unpleasantness' over the forthcoming AIMS Tests (read strike action) and keen to present a united front with teachers for the forthcoming budget, the union were in an excellent position to drive a hard bargain.
Instead, we have supposedly signed for the following things:
1. $1000 up- front payment for every teacher, payable now (um, what is that for? bribery?)
2. ten more minutes in the classroom each day (er,excuse me?)
3. all pupil-free days to be taken in term one only (what is the point of that stipulation?)
4. senior teachers to receive up to $10 000 in pay rise, spread over three years (what does 'senior teacher' mean? and what about other, supposedly 'junior' teachers?
(these terms went out a long time ago, so don't know where the Government got hold of them)
Now that last point is not really great, because though it pays lip-service to trying to keep up with NSW (who have already negotioated to pay their teachers $11 000 more than Victorians) by the time the $10 000 kicks in Vic will be behind again.
Not good enough AEU: say no and drive a harder bargain!!!
What do you reckon?? Gotta go and teach, chat later...
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Eyes On Oz
There are a lot of teachers seriously fed up with being paid so little and with their pay not keeping up with inflation. There is talk of moving to Albury...