Calls for Fair Pay Ahead of NSW Budget
Community preschool teachers will rally in Lismore on May 6, demanding fair pay rises from the NSW government ahead of the June budget. Organized by the Independent Education Union (IEU), the event highlights pressing issues in early childhood education funding.
The protest begins at Spinks Park at 8:45 am. Teachers, parents, and supporters will march to The Quad for speeches starting at 9:00 am. Participants plan to wear pink to show solidarity and support for the cause.
According to David Towson, Acting Secretary of the IEUA NSW/ACT Branch, “Preschool teachers and educators need the NSW government to boost funding for community preschools in the June budget so they can be paid fairly for providing high-quality education.”
Lismore and Sydney Rallies Unite
Simultaneously, hundreds of community preschool staff and supporters will rally in Sydney, echoing the demands made in Lismore. The union has persistently advocated for increased funding for more than two years.
Preschool staff currently earn up to 30% less than their counterparts with similar qualifications and roles in schools. Melinda Gambley, a teacher at Clunes Community Preschool, highlighted that this disparity is largely due to gender-based undervaluation. “To start fixing this, community preschool staff need a 15% pay rise,” she insisted.
In February, the Fair Work Commission recommended reviewing and boosting funding to enhance pay and conditions for preschool staff. Despite ongoing negotiations, the NSW government has not yet committed to the necessary funding increase.
Community preschools, largely staffed by women, are overseen by volunteer parent committees focused on children’s education and safety. These institutions rely exclusively on funding from the NSW government and parent fees. Bridget Isichei, a Byron Bay Preschool teacher, remarked, “Teachers, educators, children, parents, and the community all benefit from a strong preschool sector.”
Funding for community preschools comes solely from the NSW government and parent fees. In a cost-of-living crisis, it is crucial to avoid fee increases. “After months of negotiating, the NSW government has still not committed to a funding increase,” Towson said. “Without an increase in NSW government funding to lift pay and conditions, community preschools may be forced to cap enrolments because of staff shortages or increase fees for families,” Towson concluded.
The rally in Lismore, along with the parallel event in Sydney, aims to draw attention to these critical issues affecting the preschool sector. The IEU and preschool teachers are hopeful that their voices will be heard, leading to positive changes in funding and pay structures. Stephen Gallen, a local parent and supporter, expressed his belief in the importance of fair compensation for educators, emphasizing the long-term benefits for children’s education.
