A deal to make graduate and top-level teachers in NSW the highest paid in the nation is still on the table, the education minister says after being accused of betraying the sector.
The NSW teachers union told its members on Thursday to consider walking off the job if Education Minister Prue Car visited their school after pay talks broke down.
The union accused Ms Car of reneging on a nine-month deal struck earlier this year that would have transformed salary structures and delivered pay rises of up to 12 per cent.
NSW Teachers Federation president Angelo Gavrielatos said the deal was so advanced, it was twice reaffirmed and its announcement had been pencilled in for late June.
"Today, the teachers of this state have been gutted by what can only be described as an act of betrayal," he said.
But the education minister was "really disappointed" with the union's actions given both parties were still negotiating.
The government offer made on Wednesday night would restructure pay grades from October and then give teachers pay rises of 2.5 per cent each year for the subsequent three years.
"Our government comes with the intention .... to give a significant uplift to teacher salaries," Ms Car said.
"And of course to do that, we need to find productivity improvements and budget savings.
"We want to do this for teachers. I can't get clearer than that."
The restructure would increase starting salaries from October by 12 per cent to $85,000, make salary progression more regular and lift top-of-the-scale teachers' pay by $9000 to $122,100 per year.
Ms Car rejected any suggestion she was not in the corner of teachers, having made "massive strides" in getting NSW to value the profession since Labor took office in March.
More than 9000 temporary teachers and support staff had been given permanent roles while the admin burdens have been slashed.
"These are the actions of a government that values teachers," she said.
Former education minister Sarah Mitchell said the government had to be honest about what budget savings and productivity improvements meant for teachers, parents and students.
"What difference will that make to a teacher in the classroom? What resources will they not have? What programs will children miss out on?" she said.
The union has called on branches to lobby local Labor MPs and asked members to meet any school visit by Ms Car, Premier Chris Minns or Treasurer Daniel Mookhey "with the welcome such an act of betrayal deserves".
It suggested walkouts as an option.
The proposed changes would also boost pay for non-school-based teachers and place school counsellors, senior psychologists and psychologist team leaders on parity with head teachers, deputy principals and level-one principals.
Award-based allowances would also be increased by four per cent.
