A move to make a 15 per cent pay rise permanent is a win for more than 200,000 early educators and a win for the stability of the whole early education sector, United Workers Union said today.
Attributable to Jo Schofield, National President, United Workers Union, regarding today’s announcement about extending a 15 per cent pay rise for early educators:
“Early educators were willing to walk off the job to defend this pay rise, and they deserve credit for this win.
“Early educators know only too well what the sector was like before this pay rise came into force in December 2024, and there was no way they were going backwards.
“They were facing a huge impact from a looming pay cliff this year, and would have lost up to 15 per cent of their pay just before Christmas.
“Early educators also know that before this pay rise, underpaid and exhausted educators were rushing to leave the sector.
“Early educators have repeatedly stood up for quality early education and care, and have backed their demands with action including national walk-offs – a step they were prepared to take over this issue.
“In fact, early educators first won this pay rise by thousands coming together in the multi-employer agreement, the first agreement to introduce this pay rise that now covers more than 40,000 educators.
“Today’s announcement effectively makes the original 15 per cent pay rise permanent by filling in the gap until the arrival of educators’ gender undervaluation increases they have already won.
“The Albanese Labor Government is to be commended for the foresight they have shown in delivering this pay rise.
“Educators will continue to advocate for quality early education and care through all avenues available to them, on issues including room ratios and suitable levels of inclusion support for children with additional needs.”
ENDS
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