03 Dec 2021
Dear parents and carers
The department is currently negotiating a new Award with the Teachers Federation with the help of the Industrial Relations Commission. The Industrial Relations Commission is the official place where pay negotiations take place in NSW.
The Industrial Relations Commission has ruled any industrial action by the NSW Teachers Federation is illegal while negotiations are underway, and the department is urging them to call off any industrial action including the proposed 24-hour strike on Tuesday 7 December.
As a result of the strike our school will be providing minimal supervision of students on Tuesday 7 December. This means the cohort arrangements that have been in place this term will not be in operation. However, our school will still operate in a COVID-safe manner in accordance with NSW Health guidelines.
We are doing all we can to resolve this dispute with the Federation.
The current Teachers' Award expires on 31 December 2021. Rather than wait for the outcome of an arbitration decision by the Industrial Relations Commission in May next year, the department intends to offer a 2.5% salary increase for teachers and related employees as soon as the current Award expires, ensuring our staff don’t miss out. This is the maximum amount allowed per annum under the Industrial Relations Act.
We appreciate your patience and understanding during this disruption, especially given the challenges we have all faced this year. We will keep you updated on further developments as they come to hand. Yours in public education,
Justine Abell
Principal
New Lambton Public School