WA Teacher Union Rejects Second Pay Offer from State Government

The State School Teachers' Union of WA (SSTUWA) has decided to decline a second offer from the state government regarding pay and work conditions, signaling a standstill in negotiations and raising worries of potential disruptions at public schools as the union contemplates a strike. The state government had put forward a proposal entailing a 5 per cent salary hike, succeeded by two years of 3 per cent increases, totaling an 11 per cent raise over three years. In contrast, SSTUWA has put forth its demands for a 7 per cent raise followed by 5 per cent over a two-year period, accounting for a total of 12 per cent increase.

Furthermore, the union is also advocating for various measures to enhance workplace conditions and tackle the heavy workloads faced by teachers, including limitations on class sizes – an issue highlighted by SSTUWA President Matt Jarman who compared the class sizes in WA unfavorably to those in other parts of the country. He expressed concerns about teachers and school leaders grappling with excessive pressures and dedicating a significant portion of their lives to work. Jarman articulated that while the offered pay raise was appreciated, there remains a sense of dissatisfaction among the members, with some feeling slighted by the terms of the second offer. He noted a prevailing "crisis" in the public school sector, emphasizing the enduring wage freezes endured by teachers and the mounting living costs. Jarman underscored the pressing need for addressing substantial workload concerns that he perceives have not been adequately dealt with in the government's proposal.