CATHOLIC school teachers are preparing for an industrial showdown with the church in a bid for better wages and working conditions. Less than two weeks after 20,000 public school teachers walked off the job as they pushed for more money from the Brumby Government, the Catholic teachers' union is considering a similar campaign, as they attempt to broker a wage deal and lower class sizes.
A union survey, to be released today, found that seven out of 10 primary and secondary Catholic teachers were prepared to take industrial action if talks with Melbourne's Catholic education chiefs did not progress well.
"It would be fair to say we want to prepare our members for the possibility of an industrial campaign," said Victorian Independent Education Union general secretary Deb James.
"It's too early to say exactly what form that will take, but our members have shown that they're prepared to fight for a reasonable outcome."
About 180,000 children in Victoria attend Catholic schools. According to the union survey, 85% of their teachers said they wanted a wage rise beyond 3.25%, while 82% of teachers said it was important that their 10 weeks of school holidays were protected.
Class sizes are a particular problem because Catholic school employers have not been able to invest as much money into reducing class sizes as the State Government has in public schools. This year, average class sizes in public schools hit a record low of 20.7 students in prep to grade two. But in Catholic schools, classes have an average of 22.4 students.
Teachers want class sizes capped at a maximum of 23 students in years prep to two; 26 students in years three to six and 24 students in VCE. The union negotiating with the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria.
Acting chief executive Dr Teresa Angelico said "amicable discussions" were continuing. But she added that the push for better wages would depend on the outcome of negotiations between the Government and public school teachers.
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