SA teachers want pay rise now
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SA teachers want interim pay rise now. (ABC News: file photo)
The Education Union wants an interim pay rise for South Australian teachers while their dispute with the Government is negoatiated in the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC).
Teachers are pushing for a 21 per cent pay rise over three years and improved conditions.
Their union has lodged an application with the IRC for an interim rise of 7 per cent.
Union president Correna Haythorpe says an interim rise would be a sign of good faith from the SA Government.
"It's evident that the discussions may take some time and at this stage, our members have been now 12 months without a pay rise and we do believe that the Government needs to show goodwill in providing this interim salary increase," she said.
SA Industrial Relations Minister Paul Caica says he would prefer to complete negotiations before teachers are granted any pay rise.
Mr Caica has not ruled out an interim pay increase but says it would complicate enterprise bargaining talks.
"My preference is to ensure that it is treated as a package and that the entire claim is dealt with because there's more to this claim than just the pay increases," he said.
"The teachers have advocated that from day one. I'd like to sort out most of those issues and then go together forwards as a package, as a done deal."
