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TASMANIAN teachers have agreed to a 2 per cent pay rise over two years after 24 months of negotiation.
Negotiations between the Australian Education Union and state government over a new agreement began in August 2010. The agreement expired in February 2011.
In June union state president Terry Polglase said strike action was on the cards if politicians pushed ahead with a 38 per cent pay rise and teachers were forced to accept 2 per cent.
Mr Polglase said yesterday that 93 per cent of teachers have reluctantly voted to accept the government's offer.
He said it was reluctant given it went against an election promise by both the Labor and Greens parties for wage relativity with other states and to continue the salary nexus which had been in place for the past 12 years.
``Our members have accepted a 2 per cent pay rise for each of the next two years in light of state MPs accepting a similar package and taking into account the state budget predicament,'' said Mr Polglase.
``The state government however is on notice that at the end of the agreement in two years we will vigorously pursue a return to pay relativity for Tasmanian teachers, with their interstate colleagues.''
The new agreement also includes:
Principals to consult with staff about changes to school operation.
Formation of a department and union working party to review operations and prepare for potential Gonski implementation, review accommodation for teachers in remote areas and review incentive payments for teachers in isolated locations.
Premier Lara Giddings welcomed the agreement and described it as a responsible increase in this economic climate.
``This agreement follows on from the agreement with public sector unions on a new Tasmanian State Service Agreement earlier in the year and means that a significant proportion of the Tasmanian public service has now agreed to responsible wage increases in line with the State Government's wages policy,'' Ms Giddings said.