Faxstream: Stop Work Meetings

The IEU Executive has called upon all teachers in NSW Catholic systemic schools to stop work for one hour on Tuesday, 2 December 2008, says a faxstream this week sent to reps and members.

The stop work is to take place for the first hour of the school day starting from the commencement of classes. Members are asked to take this action in defence of their salaries and working conditions.

All Dioceses have only offered a 2.5% ‘interim’ salary increase from January 2009.

Catholic employers are following the lead of the NSW Department which has also offered government teachers a 2.5% increase but is insisting that any salary increases above this are to be funded by cuts to teachers’ working conditions (eg cuts in sick leave and increased extras).

Teachers’ salaries and working conditions are at risk! Thousands of members have met in schools to carry resolutions urging Catholic employers to disassociate themselves from the NSW Department’s position. They have failed to do so. Now it is important that ALL members take this protest action.

As negotiations with Catholic employers are further advanced in relation to support staff, support staff members will NOT be asked to participate in this stop work.

AT THE STOP WORK MEETINGS

Members will be asked to vote on further action. This will include a possible state-wide full day stoppage during Term 1 2009.

Members should also note that the NSW Teachers' Federation has held stop work meetings which have authorised widespread strike action at the beginning of the 2009 school year.

NON-MEMBERS

Further details will follow next week for distribution to ALL teachers on your staff. Thank you for your assistance in this campaign.

Yours sincerely

DICK SHEARMAN

General Secretary