South West teachers challenge capped increase, call for four per cent pay rise over next two years

The South West’s public school teachers have demanded a pay rise of 4 per cent over the next two years, in line with inflation. In its log of claims for a new general agreement, the Busselton Senior High School branch of the State School Teachers’ Union of WA has challenged the State Government’s wages policy, which caps increases at $1000 a year. It comes as the Principals’ Federation of WA also seeks a wage increase of 5 per cent a year following the pressure placed on the public school system as a result of COVID-19. BSHS union representative Geoff Holt said the pay increase was one of a raft of issues being faced by teachers and public sector employees alike. “There’s a real crisis coming, and the Government needs to address it by helping out the public sector,” he said. “The flat rate $1000 represents probably 1.3 per cent pay increase, then considering inflation it’s even less. “People are not choosing teaching because it’s not an attractive option anymore, causing massive shortages for schools. “The lack of attractive pay prospects, combined with an increasing demographic of staff reaching retirement age, there’s not enough teachers to fill relief positions, let alone permanent staffing positions. “Ultimately, this will have an effect on our future generations. “You want highly qualified, highly motivated and highly skilled teachers in front of a classroom. “Statistics are showing teachers are dropping out within five years because the workload is absolutely excessive, the challenges among today’s youth is evolving, and without pay incentives, staff are being asked to do more for less.” Mr Holt said the $1000 flat rate increase equated to a 1.3 per cent pay increase in the face of housing prices jumping 10-15 per cent and the cost of living increasing 3.5 per cent on average. “For the South West particularly, teachers want to come to the region but it’s not financially possible to find homes,” he said. According to Mr Holt, the Busselton branch of the union was joined by all the South West branches in a unanimous endorsement of the log of claims. The issue of housing was also raised by PFWA president Bevan Ripp, who joined in the SSTUWA’s call for regional housing to be provided at no cost to public sector staff. Industrial Relations Minister Stephen Dawson said the Government was committed to its public sector wages policy for the next two years, before transitioning to an annual Consumer Price Index pay increase. “The policy was first introduced in the context of salaries being frozen for politicians, judges and the State’s most senior public servants,” he said. “Our responsible financial management means we can manage the State’s debt and run strong surpluses that provide for the WA community.”