Teachers strike in NSW

NSW public school teachers will take strike action this Thursday, 
November 18, calling on the Carr Labor Government to withdraw an award 
application which would wipe teachers' hard-won pay and conditions. Adding 
insult to injury, the Government expects teachers to accept its offer of a 
wage increase that will be below the inflation rate.

Included in the Government's list are increased work hours, loss of job 
security, cuts to annual holidays and an intrusive monitoring of the work 
of individual teachers.

Last week more than 22,000 teachers attended meetings around the State and 
demanded that the Government begin a proper negotiation process.

"Teachers rejected the proposed salary increase which is less than the 
projected inflation rate", said NSW Teachers' Federation President, Sue 
Simpson, "and proposals which would undermine the working conditions of 
every teacher, principal, careers adviser and school counsellor.

"The proposals for expanded school opening hours, the loss of holidays and 
the use of unqualified teachers will not attract the quality teachers which 
are needed to solve the teacher shortage."