St John teachers to stop work

Teachers at St John the Baptist Primary School will be taking part in the stop-work meeting of NSW Catholic teachers planned for July 2.

The meeting will occur between 2 and 3pm on Wednesday, July 2.

The teachers are expected to condemn the current pay offer of a three per cent increase from Catholic employers.

The teachers are seeking a pay increase of 25 per cent over two years, as well as a three per cent increase in superannuation contributions, improved remuneration for heads of departments, and measures to deal with increased workloads.

A statement released by the Diocese of Broken Bay stated that students at St. John the Baptist primary would spend the time participating in regular programmed curricular activities under adequate staff supervision.

"Student safety and supervision remains the highest priority at all times," it stated.

The Independent Education Union (IEU) has lodged the application for the salary claim to be heard as a special case in the NSW Industrial relations committee.

According to the diocese statement,teachers who were members of the IEU were free to take part in the hour-long meeting.

"The Diocese supports the decision of IEU member teachers to meet for discussion, and thanks them for choosing the least intrusive time in our children's timetable."

Alison Branley, press release, June 19