Teachers set to vote on pay deal

Queensland state school teachers will receive a pay rise of 2.7 per cent a year over the next three years under an agreement reached between the Newman Government and the Queensland Teachers’ Union.

Premier Campbell Newman said QTU senior officials had endorsed a new agreement in principle which would now be put to a state-wide ballot of teachers and backdated to 1 September 2012 once certified.

“This is a win for teachers, parents and students across the state,” Mr Newman said.

“I am pleased that all sides have negotiated in good faith to reach an agreement that recognises and values the important work Queensland teachers do in educating our children.”

Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said the outcome was the result of three months of intense negotiations since the last Enterprise Bargaining Agreement expired at the end of June.

“Despite the difficult financial circumstances we were left by Labor, the Newman Government has been able to provide a fair pay increase to Queensland’s hard working teachers,” Mr Langbroek said.

Mr Langbroek said the agreement also included ongoing commitments to class size targets and the remote area incentive scheme.

“The Premier and I had always given our assurance to the QTU that class size targets would be maintained and in order to secure an agreement and end months of uncertainty, this matter of policy has been retained in the agreement,” he said.

“As part of the agreement, the QTU has thrown their support behind the Independent Public Schools Initiative through a Memorandum of Agreement. I’m extremely pleased that we’ve been able to resolve this before any industrial action was taken.”

Mr Newman said over the past six months, the LNP Government had secured wage agreements with nurses, salaried doctors and now teachers.

“I am hopeful a similar reasonable and responsible outcome can be reached with the unions representing fire fighters, and emergency service workers,” Mr Newman said.

“My Government is committed to delivering fair wages in return for fair outcomes, and the unions need to recognise that wage rises of 2.2 to 2.7 per cent are generous at a time when inflation is currently running at 1.2 per cent.

“We believe it is possible to properly reward staff, while also delivering better services and value for money for Queensland taxpayers.

“This agreement with teachers is evidence of that commitment and of our continued determination to get the state back on track.”

[ENDS] 3 October 2012

Media Contact:  Danita Goodwin 0439 886 652