SA: SA teachers lowest paid in nation: AEU

AAP General News (Australia)
08-03-2009
SA: SA teachers lowest paid in nation: AEU

ADELAIDE, Aug 3 AAP - South Australia's public school teachers say they're the lowest
paid in the nation as their union starts an arbitration hearing over a pay claim.

Teachers and the state government have been at loggerheads over a new enterprise agreement
for more than a year.

After a series of offers and compromises, negotiations broke down late last year, leaving
the matter to be determined by arbitration, which started on Monday in the Industrial
Relations Commission.

The arbitration follows the commission awarding teachers an interim 3.75 per cent rise
in February.

In their full claim, teachers have asked for a 21 per cent pay rise over three years,
against the government's best offer of 14.2 per cent over the same period.

The Australian Education Union's South Australian president, Correna Haythorpe, said
the state's teachers were "by far the lowest paid in Australia".

"By the time this issue is resolved, other states will be moving ahead, having recognised
the need for attractive salaries and conditions in order to keep quality staff," she said
outside the arbitration hearing.

"Lengthy delays by the government in resolving this dispute are very regrettable."

The arbitration hearing was expected to continue at least two days.

AAP sl/cdh

KEYWORD: TEACHERS SA

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