Coffs Coast preschool educators rally for equal pay

AROUND 100 community preschool educators braved the rain in Coffs Harbour on Wednesday 6 May to join the statewide “Start Strong Pay Fair” Day of Action.

Dressed in a sea of pink, supporters from Crescent Head to Nana Glen marched to demand a fair funding increase.

The march began at Brelsford Park and moved through the CBD, with the chant “We teach, we care, we deserve to be paid fair!” echoing through the streets as passers-by honked and cheered in support.

The procession gathered outside the office of Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh, where protesters called on his support.

Organised by the Independent Education Union of Australia (IEU), the rally follows two years of failed negotiations with the NSW Government.

Educators are seeking pay parity with school teachers and to ensure the survival of the not-for-profit community preschool model.

Sarah Barcala, Director of Urunga Community Preschool, told News Of The Area, “Our rally will show that the community values their preschools and will place additional pressure on the NSW government to act.

“The pay disparities are resulting in difficulties in attracting and retaining committed and appropriately qualified staff.”

The impact of this inequity leaves educators feeling undervalued, which can be felt in the classroom.

Janice Hoffman, an Early Childhood Teacher and Educational Leader at Nambucca Heads Preschool Playcentre, warned that the lack of professional recognition is taking a toll.

“Staff feel like babysitters instead of educators,” Ms Hoffman said.

“For the children, this means losing the continuity of educators, which can undermine their feelings of safety and security.”

Janine Reibel, Director of the Nambucca Heads centre, added that the region faces a “devastating” ripple effect if the funding gap isn’t closed.

IEU data shows that community preschool educators earn up to 30 percent less annually than school teachers with equal qualifications, and approximately 15 percent less than their counterparts in long day care centres.

For example, a graduate teacher in a primary school earns $90,177, while a preschool teacher with five years’ experience earns just $86,264.

The decision to take industrial action was not made lightly.

Sarah Earsman, acting director of Valla Beach Community Preschool, noted their management committee voted to close the preschool for industrial action for the first time in its 42-year history.
“We don’t want to sacrifice the high quality of education we provide, nor do we want to pass the cost to parents who are already under financial strain,” Ms Earsman explained.

She said that parents have been supportive of the decision because they want to protect the high quality of education provided by the preschool.

The “Start Strong Pay Fair” campaign aligns with a recent Fair Work Commission recommendation that the NSW government review and increase funding needed to deliver long overdue pay rises to the sector.

The IEU and local preschool directors are urging the community to stand with them, and encourage supporters to write to their State MPs seeking their support for fair funding in the upcoming budget.

By Lani GREENHALGH