NSW teachers refuse to back down

NSW teachers show no sign of backing down in their fight with 
the State Labor Government for wage justice and in defence of 
public education.

Premier Bob Carr, has already faced three strikes by teachers, 
provoked by his unprecedented intervention in the Industrial 
Relations Commission (IRC) just as it was about to announce its 
decision on the teachers' wage claims.

The second NSW Teachers' Federation strike on June 2 took the 
form of Sky Channel meetings at venues across the state. The 
resolution adopted by these meetings warns that further 
industrial action will take place if the Premier moves to fund 
teacher wage increases from the education budget "at the expense 
of the teaching and learning conditions across the public 
education system."

What started out as a struggle for wage justice has moved to 
defence of the education budget and the public education system.

Following an IRC report that included a reference to the "deep 
and profound changes in teachers' worth", teachers are expecting 
a big wage rise when the IRC decision is delivered. Teachers will 
not tolerate the education budget being raided to fund this 
salary increase.

Further action likely

The NSW Teachers' Federation Council meeting on Saturday June 5 
decided to wait for a decision from the IRC or the NSW budget on 
June 22. If either one of these goes against teachers or the 
education budget, further industrial action is to be taken.

Premier Carr is showing no signs of remorse or compromise and 
continues to ignore union letters and requests for meetings. The 
stage is set for further action by NSW teachers. Teachers say 
that MPs who do not distance themselves from the Premier's 
provocative policies may pay the price in their electorates

The Communist Party congratulates teachers on their determined 
struggle and fully supports their wage claims, their defence of 
public education and no cuts to the State's education budget. The 
CPA advocates a free and secular public education system.

The Party asks Guardian readers to write to their State 
MPs, urging them to support the wage claims of NSW teachers and 
non-interference by the government in the IRC.