United Voice News
School Support Workers Gather to Fight State Government
LHMU members from state schools will meet tomorrow to endorse their wages claim against the State Government.
The claim will cover around 10,000 education assistants, cleaners and gardeners in state schools across WA.
“The State government is attempting to impose a wages cap of 2.5%, 2.5% and 3% on our members when they have offered more generous offers to other public sector workers this year.” Dave Kelly, Secretary LHMU.
“It is clear that Mr. Barnett is expecting the lowest paid to bear the brunt of the global recession. On around $35k per year, Education Assistants are already some of the lowest paid public sector workers and they are prepared to fight for a fair pay deal.
“State schools cannot function with without our members, they are an essential part of the education system and this Government needs to recognise that.”
The State Government’s wages offer is only 44 cents an hour and isn’t enough to meet the more than $1,000 in increased bills from the State Government, alone. They have put up water by 10 per cent, gas by 23 per cent and electricity by 25 per cent.
LHMU members feel so strongly about this that they have agreed to contribute to a campaign fund to fight the wages cap. The campaign will include TV, radio and print advertising.
