LHMU News
Over 1000 LHMU Members Vote on Wages Claim
Over 1000 school support workers gathered this morning to endorse their wages claim against the government.
"This government thinks our members will roll over and accept their offer of 44 cents an hour," said Dave Kelly, Secretary LHMU.
"The huge turnout of members to endorse their wages claim demonstrates that they will not accept such a poor offer while the state government is inflicting an extra $1000 per year in bills and charges.
"At $35k per year education assistants are already some of the lowest paid public sector workers. Similarly cleaners and gardeners are essential to the education system and keep schools functioning.
"It is pretty hard to stomach the government's 2.5% wages offer when they have offered other public sector workers much higher wages since the economic downturn began. The Premier is making it very clear that he expects the lowest paid to bear the brunt of the down turn."
Amounts the claims endorsed were:
20% pay increase over three years (parity with teachers)
Permanency for employees on fixed term contracts
Improved safety and security in schools, particularly cleaners and gardeners who work outside of normal working hours.
"LHMU members want the government to sit at the table and negotiate these issues in good faith and recognise the vital work that school support workers do in the education system," Dave said.
The meeting today was for metropolitan LHMU members, country members will vote tomorrow.
