Interim Increase Christmas Bonus

Date: 22 December 2003

The Independent Education Union said the Industrial Relations Commission decision to grant a five and a half percent interim increase to Catholic school teachers set the scene for a positive outcome to the salaries case in 2004.

IEU state secretary Dick Shearman said the 5.5 percent, payable from 1 January 2004, was a welcome down-payment for significant increases in productivity over recent years. He said teachers were eagerly awaiting the IRC's final decision with an expectation that further increases were to follow.

"The IRC heard from both teachers and their employers, who agreed teachers had delivered significant improvements in work value in recent years," he said.

In particular, there was an acceptance that teachers had accommodated:
- significant and extensive changes to syllabuses
- new assessment practices and reporting requirements to parents
- increased demands associated with new technology

Mr Shearman said the Catholic Commission for Employment Relations' acceptance of these improvements stood in stark contrast to that of the Carr Government, which is challenging similar arguments being mounted by public school teachers.

"The case made for the pay rise was overwhelming and fully supported by comprehensive evidence, witness statements and broad agreement from Catholic employers.

"The bottom line is the community deserves a teaching profession that has the respect and support of employers - this decision is clearly a step in that direction."

For further information

Contact:	Gloria Taylor
Union:	NSW/ACT IEU
Phone:	(02) 9202 2600

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