Updated ,first published
Victorian public school staff have narrowly rejected the state government’s latest pay offer, paving the way for statewide strikes to go ahead on Thursday.
A slim majority of teachers, principals and education support staff voted against a pay offer of 28.3 per cent over four years, forcing the Labor government back to the negotiating table.
Public school staff will stage a mass walkout on Thursday, with tens of thousands of Australian Education Union members expected to march through the Melbourne CBD.
The stop-work action was declared after union members voted 51.18 per cent to 48.82 per cent in favour of rejecting the pay offer. More than 50,677 union members voted in the online ballot, representing 90.2 per cent of those eligible.
Victorian branch president Justin Mullaly said the vote sent an undeniable message to Premier Jacinta Allan that the government had to do better.
“There’s no doubt that there is one side of this dispute that can resolve things clearly and quickly, and that’s the government,” he said.
“They need to step up. They need to lock in school funding and they need to put in place arrangements for a further offer that really keeps our teachers in our schools, stops those people who are leaving, and stops relying on the goodwill of teachers to make sure every child and young person gets a great outcome.”
Union officials have not named a new figure that would result in a deal, after initially asking for a 35 per cent increase over three years.
“There’s absolutely no doubt that conditions are at the heart of this,” Mullaly said. “But it’s equally clear that we want to have a teaching profession that is paid really well so that we can attract and retain [education staff].”
Union members will stop work for 24 hours on Thursday, gathering at Bourke Street Mall at 10.30am for a rally and march to Parliament House.
While all schools are expected to remain open during the industrial action, many will only provide supervision for a limited number of students.
The Education Department was this week working to limit the disruption to families.
A spokesperson said schools would communicate any changes directly to parents and carers.
Coburg West Primary School mother Marilyn Pisani, whose daughter is in grade 2, said she supported the strike.
“I think it’s necessary for the teachers unfortunately, but it’s very inconvenient for parents,” she said. “For parents who are working especially.”
She said she’d have to work from home with her daughter and “try and juggle”.
Lulu Lentini, who also had a grade 2 student at the school, said she was “totally fine with it”.
“It’s inconvenient for us, but we will make it work because we are in full support of it,” she said.
Lentini said she planned to call on grandparents and friends for help on the day of the strike.
“If striking is a means to an end I’m supportive of them going on other strikes as well. I think most people are supportive of it.”
Education Minister Ben Carroll has urged the union to call off the strike and prevent disruption for students and families.
Carroll said the offer’s rejection was “disappointing”.
“We will always back our hardworking teachers, school leaders and education support staff,” he said.
“This was a close vote, and my door is always open – I again urge the AEU leadership to call off this strike.”
Teachers last walked off the job in March, when 35,000 educators thronged the streets of Melbourne.
Union members began additional industrial action in term 3, including a ban on state Labor MPs visiting public schools and a ban on implementing new government programs.
Australian Education Union branch councillor Lucy Honan said teachers would be out on the streets in a rally bigger than ever this week.
Honan said the union’s left faction would push for further strikes early next month if Carroll was unable to provide a more satisfactory offer by next Thursday.
“Ben Carroll called it a watershed offer, but we could all see it was a leaky tap. His mucking around is inflaming the workforce,” she said. “We’re giving him until July 30 to make an offer that satisfies our core demands, or there will be another strike on August 4.”
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Nicole Precel is an education reporter at The Age. She was previously an audio video producer. She is also a documentary maker. Get in touch at nicole.precel@theage.com.auConnect via X, Facebook or email.From our partners
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