"CLAYTONS" NEGOTIATIONS

ARE NOT GOING TO WORK

The AEU-NT Branch wants to make clear to all Territory parents and community members that the latest “offer” from the NT Government, which was given to the Union 12 hours before the 24 hour Stop Work of 17 April, was a "Claytons" offer and could not be seen as part of any formal negotiations towards a settlement.

The AEU-NT waited for over 10 days after the first 4 hour Stop Work on 31 March, for any indication the Government negotiators wanted to talk about the issues raised by the rejection of the second formal offer by a solid majority of teachers in Northern Territory classrooms.

The Government Ministers and negotiators had plenty of time and opportunty to respond, THEY DID NOT.

The meeting with the AEU-NT on 16 April saw a “proposal” not an offer to -

1.  alter the commencement of the pay increase of 11% over three years

2.  increase the Remote Allowance

3.  remove the start up days in Recreation and mid year leave

4.  keep Relief Teachers on the current pay level.

We were asked to recommend this proposal and call off the industrial action.

The AEU-NT Negotiators responded that we would have to discuss the proposal with members.

Why? On 31 March - teachers made it very clear that

pay and allowances are not the only issues

Teachers want their working conditions & the quality of education in our government schools on the negotiating table

Our conditions are children’s learning environments

We call on the NT Government to show leadership and place Number 1 priority on Education

Authorised - A.Lampe,Secretary AEU-NT