Principals want car in pay deal
The teachers' union is calling for every school principal to be provided with a car as part of its new enterprise bargaining agreement.
State School Teachers Union leaders have endorsed a log of claims to kick-start negotiations with the State Government.
Under pay and conditions of employment for school principals, the log of claims demands "that the principal be provided with a vehicle as a component of their employment package".
SSTU president Pat Byrne said that unlike most other senior State Government employees, school principals were not provided with a vehicle and were forced to use their own for work purposes.
"This could include home visits, community and regional events, as well as visits to other schools and district offices," she said.
"We think it would be fitting recognition for the work that they do and their seniority for school principals to be provided with a work vehicle."
The union is also demanding a salary increase of 4 per cent a year over three years, well above the inflation rate and Government wage policy restrictions.
Ms Byrne said the log of claims included a number of conditions that addressed issues such as underfunded curriculum changes, reductions in special programs supporting students at educational risk, pressure on class sizes and compulsory testing programs increasing teachers' workloads.
"Many of these conditions are about making sure students get the best possible education, which is something teachers are very passionate about," she said.
"They are trying to do far more with less and they deserve recognition for that."
Commerce Minister Michael Mischin said the labour relations division of the Department of Commerce, which conducts wage negotiations with unions, had not yet started bargaining with the SSTU.
"However, the current wages policy 2014 reflects the election policy commitment that public sector employees should receive fair and reasonable remuneration and benefits," he said. "The Government does not intend to make exceptions to its wages policy."
The current agreement expires in December.
