WA public schools are preparing for major disruption with the State School Teachers Union confirming teachers will walk off the job for a half day next Tuesday, if they don't receive a better wages offer. The union is sticking to its demand of a 12 per cent pay rise over two years in what will be the first serious test of the government's revised wages policy.
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TVTranscript
00:00 It's the first day back at school.
00:04 My name's Mr Cook.
00:05 Good morning.
00:06 Good morning Mr Cook.
00:10 The Premier was out spruiking his cost of living relief package.
00:14 Families of school children can now apply for a one-off payment - $150 per primary and
00:20 kindergarten student and $250 for each secondary student.
00:25 I know that the cost of living for parents can be some of the most challenging, particularly
00:31 when you've got kids at school.
00:33 It's a bit of extra cash to help with expenses - something teachers are fighting for too
00:39 in an industrial tug of war.
00:41 The State School Teachers Union is planning for a half-day strike next Tuesday.
00:47 We are more than just chasing a high salary.
00:49 We are really trying to address the violence and the safety in our schools and the other
00:54 workload matters that are taking teachers away from doing their core job.
00:58 A first-year teacher currently earns around $78,000 a year, while a senior teacher with
01:04 more than a decade's experience earns almost $118,000.
01:09 The State Government has offered a pay rise totalling 11 per cent over three years.
01:15 The union wants 12 per cent over two years.
01:18 It also wants to ease the pressure on teachers by enforcing smaller class sizes.
01:24 We know that the government is in a budget surplus position where they can afford it.
01:27 We think it's a very good offer, so we continue to remain hopeful and we would like the resolution
01:32 to be reached as soon as possible.
01:36 The State Government says it's preparing to minimise the impact of any potential strike
01:41 on schools and families.
01:43 [BLANK_AUDIO]