In-principle agreement reached for school teachers' pay deal

• WA teachers remain Australia's highest paid
• State Government offers teachers an immediate pay increase

The Western Australian Government has reached in-principle agreement with the State School Teachers' Union (SSTU) executive for a new deal, which covers about 27,400 school teachers and associated employees.

The parties reached agreement for a 12 per cent salary increase over the next three years (3.75 per cent, 4.0 per cent and 4.25 per cent) during a conciliation conference at the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission (WAIRC).

If approved by the teachers, this deal will maintain WA teachers' status as the highest paid teachers in Australia.  At the end of the agreement period, 60 per cent of WA State school teachers will earn $99,000 or more.

Commerce Minister Simon O'Brien said the deal reflected the important contribution made by WA teachers, administrators, school psychologists, education officers and swimming instructors in educating this State's future generations.

The in-principle agreement will be subject to endorsement via a ballot of SSTU members and subsequent registration of a replacement agreement in the WAIRC. 

"As a sign of goodwill, the Government has announced an immediate salary increase through an administrative payment of 3.75 per cent.  This will ensure all teachers receive an increase in their pay on December 22, 2011," Education Minister Liz Constable said.

"I am confident our teaching workforce will recognise that this is the best outcome available, and vote in favour of the offer."

Mr O'Brien said this rounded up a great year for successful negotiations with some of our most important community workers, our teachers, our police, our firefighters, our TAFE lecturers, our nurses and our public servants.

Fact File

• For more information on labour relations, go to http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/LabourRelations/

Commerce Minister's office - 9213 6400
Education Minister's office - 9222 9699