NSW teachers strike after government interference

Teachers walked out of schools across NSW last week as Premier 
Bob Carr was accused of "contempt" and "blatant political 
interference" by trying to "intimidate" the Industrial Relations 
Commission (IRC). The allegations flew after the State Government 
successfully moved to re-open a wage case that finished six 
months ago.

The NSW Teachers' Federation has since announced a campaign of 
further industrial action, including two 24-hour strikes on May 
27 and June 2.

The IRC announced its decision to admit the government's "new 
material" in the teachers' salaries case last Friday, even though 
hearings had concluded on the December 19, 2003.

At the same time the IRC acknowledged that a judgement on the 
case had been "imminent". The IRC decision was widely expected to 
have been favourable to teachers who have waged a long-running 
campaign to improve pay and conditions in public schools.

The "new material" turned out to be, according to Government's 
Counsel, simply "numbers". He argued that the state budget had 
deteriorated from a $303m surplus to a $300m deficit.

The Federation argued that reopening the case raised the issue of 
prejudice.

"If this information on the state's finances were to be accepted, 
further information could be presented about any other aspect of 
the case, including work value and teacher supply, for example.

"This is the Pandora's Box that the IRC is being asked to open."

Unions have vowed to draw a "line in the sand" over the stand-
off, warning Premier Carr that continued interference in IRC 
deliberations will reap a backlash against his government.

Labor Council Secretary John Robertson said workers would not 
stand back and watch the IRC compromised by veiled threats or 
outright pressure from politicians.

"The IRC is due to hear a number of important Work Value cases 
this year — involving nurses, teachers, fire fighters and 
general public servants", said Robertson. "In all these cases the 
government has a vested interest in the outcomes.

"I have no doubt the Premier has sought to intimidate the 
Commission. This from a Premier who says NSW has the best IR 
system in the country and he supports the role of the independent 
umpire.

"These threats are verging on contempt."

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Acknowledgement to Workers Online