The state government has announced a new state wages policy.
This policy will apply to all SSTUWA members, including TAFE lecturers. Negotiations for the TAFE General Agreement continue and specific details will be available through that process.
The policy lifts the agreed increase for teachers from 2.75% for each of the two years of the General Agreement 2021 to 3%.
A one off $2,500 cost of living payment will be made in the first year. This will be pro-rata for part-time teachers and administrators.
These changes will apply to the new General Agreement immediately. A schedule of teacher and school administrator salaries can be found here (website login required). Other salary classifications will be posted as soon as they are available.
The General Agreement 2021 was scheduled for a hearing in the WA Industrial Relations Commission today (Monday). This has now been deferred until later in the week to enable the necessary changes to wage rates to be made and the Agreement re-signed.
Once the agreement is formally ratified, it is anticipated that the new salary rates will apply at the first possible pay date. Details on when the $2,500 payment and the back pay will be paid are being confirmed and members will be informed as soon as that is known.
Just over one year ago when the Public Sector Alliance (PSA) was formed, public servants were receiving a flat $1,000 per annum salary increase and it was intended by the state government that the $1,000 salary cap would stay in place until 2024. Yesterday’s announcement represents the second change to wages policy in nine months.
Given the extraordinary rise in the cost of living there still needs to be further work done on the state wages policy. The SSTUWA will continue to work with the PSA to ensure all public servants start to catch up with the cost of living after several years of having salaries capped as a budget management strategy.
This policy remains in place until the end of 2023, at which time the SSTUWA will be in negotiation for the next General Agreement.
