Member for Davidson, Jonathan O'Dea has hit out at the NSW Teachers Federation for calling an illegal strike for up to two hours tomorrow.
On Monday (12 December) the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) ordered the Federation to refrain from taking this industrial action.
"Despite this, the Federation has today reiterated its call for school teachers to strike for 2 hours tomorrow (Thursday) morning," Mr O'Dea said.
I join with Education Minister Adrian Piccoli who has said, "There is no justification for this illegal industrial action. The Federation is openly defying the IRC less than a week after the Commission guaranteed that school teachers would receive a 2.5% increase from January next year. Taking strike action will achieve nothing except disrupt classes for students."
Mr O'Dea said he has high regard for teachers in our schools – both public and private – and over the last two weeks has attended many end of year Award Presentation Ceremonies, acknowledging the achievements of numerous students.
"It is as an unjustified and selfish act of disregard for families with school aged children for the Teachers Federation to illegally call on school teachers to go out on strike again, particularly with the end of year in sight for our public schools," he said.
"The strike threatens to disrupt the lives of tens of thousands of families across NSW.
"Fundamental to our democracy is the notion of 'rule of law' and when groups such as the Teachers Federation blatantly disregard a legal ruling, they undermine the very values which underpin our society and which we endeavour to teach our children.
"I condemn the NSW Teachers Federation in the possible strongest terms both as a local Member and as a parent with children in the public school system. At the same time, I thank those teachers who continue to serve our community by ignoring the irresponsible call from the Teachers Federation for school teachers to take strike action.
"Encouraging illegal strike action does little to engender broader community sympathy," Mr O'Dea concluded.
