Victorian teachers strike again as pay talks stall

Victorian teachers and education support staff are on strike again, disrupting state schools for the second major time this year. The action comes after Australian Education Union (AEU) members voted down the state government's latest pay offer over the weekend. Thousands are expected to participate in the walkout.

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They work in the lowest-funded schools in the country, and that means that they carry a significant burden when it comes to workload. They're working on average 12 hours unpaid per week. They need some relief from that. That's one of the key things that we need to see further addressed in negotiations.

AEU members rejected the offer, which included a 28 percent pay increase over four years and a reduction in compulsory meetings. The union is now pushing for a three-year agreement and measures to address educators' heavy workloads. AEU Victoria President Justin Mullaly highlighted that teachers are working an average of 12 unpaid hours per week, emphasizing the need for workload relief, particularly in the country's lowest-funded schools.

Mullaly stated that while the pay increase is significant, the union's primary concerns are staff shortages and workload. He argued that more needs to be done to attract and retain teachers when schools face ongoing shortages. This sentiment contrasts with the government's position.

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When it comes to pay, there's no doubt that a 28 per cent pay increase is significant. We've always acknowledged that. But when you've got a situation where people are working in schools where shortages of teachers continue, you've got to do more to attract and, in particular, retain the workforce.

A Victorian government spokesperson expressed disappointment over the disruption, asserting that the rejected deal would have made Victorian teachers and education support staff the highest-paid in the nation with the best conditions. The spokesperson noted the close vote and affirmed the government's commitment to continuing discussions with the AEU to find a resolution. This strike follows a previous one in March, where an estimated 35,000 educators marched through Melbourne's CBD.

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Families are already juggling a lot, and today's disruption is disappointing. This deal would have made Victorian teachers and education support staff the best paid in the country together with the best conditions. This was a close vote, and we will continue to work with the AEU to resolve this matter.