Member for Davidson, Jonathan O'Dea has praised the attitude and commitment of most school teachers in his electorate following the NSW Teachers Federation's call to strike today over wages.
"The Department of Education and Communities Northern Sydney Region has advised only two schools in the whole of the electorate were non-operational as a result of today's strike.
"This is a great tribute to the commitment and sense of responsibility by teachers in Davidson towards the children in their care," Mr Davidson said.
"It also shows great respect for the many families which would have been adversely affected by the strike, forcing them to make alternative arrangements for their children.
"This is especially difficult where both parents work or the children come from single parent families and where the parent has work commitments.
"The Industrial Relations Commission ruled the strike was illegal, so it is ironic that the NSW Teachers Federation, which often calls on the Commission to defend its cause, ignores the Commission when it suits them.
"They can't have it both ways," Mr O'Dea said.
"The State Government's wages policy is essentially the same as that of the former Labor Government, which includes a guaranteed minimum payrise for public servants of 2.5% per annum.
"The difference is that under Labor, the number of agreed savings that were to fund additional wage increases were never achieved, leading to an additional $900 million in costs to NSW taxpayers.
"The NSW Liberals & Nationals policy will save $1.96 billion over the next four years, which can be used to deliver the infrastructure and services NSW desperately needs.
"I want to thank those teachers who have abided by the law and respected the many children, parents and other family members who would have otherwise been adversely affected by today's illegal strike," Mr O'Dea concluded.
