Union leaders addressing a teachers' strike in Dubbo yesterday accused Premier Bob Carr and the State Parents and Citizens Association (P and C) of taking sides in the dispute over teachers' pay claims.
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"If Bob Carr wants a fight, he is going to get it," NSW Teachers Federation country organiser Charmaine O'Sheades told 150 members at the Dubbo RSL Club.
Ms O'Sheades also attacked the State P and C claiming its leader Sharryn Brownlee was in bed with the State Government.
"Sharryn Brownlee is in the same office as (industrial relations minister) John Della Bosca and we're not going to get far if we have to wait for the State P and C's support," she said.
"Sharryn Brownlee is in bed with the State Government and it's a case of 'if you lie down with dogs you get up with fleas'."
Yesterday's strike was called to protest alleged attempts by Mr Carr to block further teacher salary increases currently being determined by the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC).
A televised Sky Channel address from the NSW Teachers Federation executive called on members to sign and send a prepared letter to the premier warning him to butt out of the negotiations or risk the ire of the union.
A handout sheet given to striking teachers contained alleged excerpts from a press release issued by the Premier's Department on May 11 warning the IRC that it (State Government) "simply cannot continue to hand out unaffordable wage increases".
The teachers are seeking the balance of a 25 per cent pay increase they sought from
the State Government last year.
The IRC agreed to an interim increase of 5.5 per cent from January 1 this year until it had time to consider the full claim.
Dubbo Teachers Association president Gary Grant said teachers were happy with that arrangement until Bob Carr said any pay rise would have to come out of the existing education budget.
"This was seen as a blatant attempt by the Premier to influence the IRC and pressure the teachers into backing down," Mr Grant said.
At the conclusion of yesterday's meeting the teachers voted unanimously to back the resolutions set down by the federation, which included enlisting the support of local MPs.
Dubbo MP Tony McGrane said he sympathised with the teachers but disagreed on their stand to take further industrial action.
"This situation clearly demonstrates both sides have pre-empted the umpire's decision," he said.
"My position in this case is that both sides should let the IRC make a decision without interference."