Teachers' union urged to restart pay negotiations
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The union's NT branch president Nadine Williams says the Government has made negotiations difficult by refusing independent mediation. (Jack Kerr)
The Northern Territory employment commissioner has urged the Education Union to return to the negotiating table and resolve the year-long teacher's pay dispute.
The Industrial Relations Commission has stopped teachers from striking until next month, but the Education Union is appealing the decision.
The union is refusing to negotiate until the ban on striking is lifted.
But commissioner Ken Simpson said if an agreement is not reached soon, negations will have to be delayed until next year.
"It's very close to a point where we won't have enough time to complete the formalities," he said.
"Even if we were to reach agreement, the voting process takes some weeks and the school year is fast approaching, so we are running out of time."
But the Education Union's NT branch president, Nadine Williams, said the Government has made negotiations difficult by refusing independent mediation.
The appeal will be heard before the full bench of the Industrial Relations Commission on Wednesday.
