Salary Increase for all Staff in Catholic Schools 22 May 2006

Catholic school staff in Tasmania will receive a 4.1% salary increase backdated to 1 April 2006.

The Tasmanian Catholic Education Employee's Association (TCEEA) described the increase as concrete confirmation of the Catholic Church's continuing support for workers in the State Industrial system.

TCEEA Secretary Angela Briant said the agreement is also a great example of employers not attempting to use the Federal government's new workplace laws to reduce wages or conditions and to affirm the value of their staff.

"Remaining under the State system means all matter agreed to in negotiations are able to be included in a Collective Agreement, including matters such as union involvement in dispute resolution that would be 'prohibited content' under the Federal 'Workchoices' system," Angela said.

"These are some of the reasons that the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has indicated its opposition to the Federal Government's 'workchoices' legislation describing the legislation as not being fair or just or providing for a proper balance between employers and employees.

"The Salary agreement was negotiated as a collective agreement with the association and the employers working together to achieve the salary increase without any decrease in conditions.

The Agreement follows negotiations finalised in December 2005 which improved conditions in many areas including:

• Increasing paid maternity leave from 10 weeks in 2006 rising to 12 weeks in 2008

• Granting permanent status to most teacher assistants

• Giving added flexibility of access to and use of Long Service Leave

• Improving year-to-year job security for part time teachers

• Providing for extra teacher assistants in large classes in primary schools

• Creating a new step on the classification scale for teachers of 'Professional Learning Leader'

"This is a great result for catholic School staff and a real vote of confidence in the State Industrial system," Angela said.

Ends

For further information Angela Briant 03 62349970

Contact Details
Tasmanian Catholic Education Employees Association
Ph:  (03) 6234 9970
Fax: (03) 6234 9505
Email: angbriant@tassie.net.au

© 2005 Tasmanian Catholic Education Employees' Association
379 Elizabeth Street, North Hobart
Tel. (03) 6234 9970 Fax: (03) 6234 9505
Last Modified: Thursday, 15-Jun-2006 13:34:00 EST
Site proudly designed and programmed by Social Change Online