Negotiated wage savings to stop sackings supported at Hobart AEU meeting

An AEU meeting in Hobart of southern members this afternoon voted unanimously to support negotiated wage savings on condition the State Government reverses its decision to sack an additional 500 public sector workers.

“Members endorsed a proposal to negotiate a deferral of remaining pay increases until the next financial year – an effective wage freeze for the remainder of this financial year,” said Terry Polglase AEU Tasmanian Branch President.

“If this outcome is replicated at AEU meetings around the state, it will deliver the savings the Treasure needs this financial year to reverse his decision to sack additional public sector workers in education and TAFE.”

“However, people working in education have an expectation that the sackings will stop and this is the condition on which they agreed to a wage freeze.”

Of primary concern to educators in schools and TAFE was the effect future job cuts would have on a system already under strain from state budget cuts.

“Educators’ primary concern is safeguarding student learning opportunities and it’s of no surprise that people in education at today’s meeting agreed to a wage freeze for the sake of students,” said Mr Polglase.

Close to 200 members working in education and TAFE from the AEU, CPSU and United Voice attended the Hobart meeting with additional members joining by Skype from St Helens. Further AEU meetings are scheduled for:

• Devonport, Friday, 17 October, Devonport High School, Best St.
• Launceston, Thursday, 16 October, Launceston College, Flight Deck, Paterson St.
• Burnie, Friday, 17 October, Burnie High School, Fidler St, Cooee.
• Zeehan, Monday, 20 October, Zeehan Primary School, Belstead St.
• Smithton, Tuesday, 21 October, Smithton High School, Mill Rd.

The meeting passed two motions unanimously – one motion to endorse a wage freeze (excluding increments) for the remainder of the 2014 financial year in return for the Government halting the sacking of additional public sector workers. A second motion to support industrial action, should the Government fail to negotiate was also passed.
Terry Polglase, AEU Tasmanian Branch President.