Geraldton teachers are set to go on strike following union rejection of second EBA offer

Teachers in Geraldton are set to protest for better pay and conditions next Tuesday, after the union opted not to accept the latest enterprise bargaining agreement put forward by the State Government.

The State School Teacher’s Union of WA is asking for a 7 per cent increase in the first year, followed by a 5 per cent increase, among a range of improvements to conditions and workload.

The latest offer from the State Government was an increase of 0.25 per cent on the original offer of 5 per cent in the first year, followed by a 3 per cent increase in the two years following, for a total increase of 11 per cent.

The offer was rejected on Monday, where SSTUWA president Matt Jarman said not enough was being done to address the problems teachers face.

“Our members are facing significant workload issues, which have not been adequately addressed in the government’s second offer,” he said.

“On top of that, teachers and school leaders have accepted four years of wage freezes while the cost of living has been skyrocketing.

“Our members deserve a decent pay rise and what the government has offered so far is not acceptable.”

The union has directed members to stop work for half a day on Tuesday, April 23 to protest.

Geraldton teachers are set to march from Maitland Park to Stow Gardens from 9.15am, before a stop work meeting takes place.

Teachers are being directed not to return to work until 12.30pm.

Mr Jarman expected the numbers for protests across the regions to be healthy.

“We are expecting a strong turnout from our members in the regions, from Esperance to Karratha,” he said.

“Many of the issues being faced in our schools, particularly in relation to workload issues and lack of support, have an even greater effect on our members in regional and remote areas.

“It’s important for the voices of regional teachers and school leaders to be heard on April 23rd, as the union continues to push for an adequate pay and conditions offer from the State Government.”