ACT public schools to close entirely tomorrow as staff strike over pay

Canberra's public schools are set to close entirely on Thursday, June 11, as teachers and school staff participate in a full-day strike. This action marks the first such strike by ACT public school teachers in 15 years, escalating from a two-hour work stoppage last month. The industrial action is driven by ongoing frustration between the Education Directorate and the Australian Education Union (AEU) over negotiations for a new enterprise agreement. The Education Directorate cited student and staff safety as the reason for the closure, stating no on-site supervision would be available. They acknowledged the significant impact school closures have on families and apologized for the disruption. The union, however, argues that the government has failed to address core concerns regarding staffing levels, increasing workloads, and class sizes. The ACT branch president of the Australian Education Union expressed exhaustion and frustration among members, stating their patience has expired. While the government reported progress in negotiations since the May strike, the Education Minister admitted a promised review into pay classifications for some staff had not progressed as it should have. The strike will impact assessments, excursions, and other school activities, with individual schools expected to notify families of specific consequences.

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Teachers don't like doing this, but we are exhausted. We are putting up with the unacceptable … our members' patience has expired.