Teachers stop work

More than 200 local teachers gathered at Woy Woy Leagues Club for a statewide stop work meeting on September 2.

Ettalong Woy Woy Teachers Association secretary Ms Julie Loany-Brown said the meeting was an opportunity for local teachers to express their frustration and highlight the issues that need to be addressed by the State Government in ensuring a successful education system.

"There were venues all over the state for Teachers Federation members to attend," Ms Loany-Brown said.

"This Stop Work meeting was part of an ongoing campaign that is concerned with staffing, standards and salaries.

"The longstanding agreement for staffing was taken away at the end of the second term of school this year.

"Dismantling the statewide school staffing system based on transfers is of major concern.

"The other major concerns are the lowering the standards of teacher qualifications.

"Most notably in TAFE and undermining the status of the teaching profession by budgeting for 2.5 per cent per annum salary increases and demanding cuts to teaching/learning conditions for increases beyond this rate.

"The Teachers Federation hopes that these issues can be satisfactorily negotiated with the new NSW Minister for Education and Training Verity Firth in the near future.

"Otherwise further industrial action deemed necessary will result."

Press release, 25 Sep 2008 Julie Loaney-Brown, Ettalong Woy Woy Teachers Association