Victorian teachers reject pay offer despite union advice

Victorian teachers have voted to reject a significant pay rise offer, defying their own union's advice. The Australian Education Union (AEU) had reached an in-principle agreement with the state government for a four-year deal, promising increases of 28 to 32 percent and additional student-free days.

However, members sought a 35 percent raise over three years, arguing that Victorian teachers are paid less than their counterparts in other states. The offer, which the AEU branch president Justin Mullaly believed would be accepted and would make some teachers the highest paid in the country, was put to a vote and subsequently rejected.

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AEU members have had their say through the union's democratic processes, with a majority of members voting to reject the Allan Labor government's pay and conditions offer.

"AEU members have had their say through the union's democratic processes, with a majority of members voting to reject the Allan Labor government's pay and conditions offer," Mullaly stated. He announced that the union's Joint Primary and Secondary Council would hold an urgent meeting to determine the next steps.

Mullaly emphasized that the union and government must renegotiate terms to address concerns about excessive workloads and to ensure "every Victorian public school just like public schools are in every other state and territory." He added, "AEU members have sent a clear message to the premier and her government that the in-principle agreement and current levels of public school funding do not go far enough to address their concerns."

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AEU members have sent a clear message to the premier and her government that the in-principle agreement and current levels of public school funding do not go far enough to address their concerns.