Teachers vote to take industrial action as pay stoush continues

Victorian parents fear the Education Union’s hard line approach to industrial action will again disrupt their children’s face-to-face learning.

Australian Education Union Victorian Branch president Meredith Peace, front left, says the teachers’ vote sends a clear message. Picture: Stuart McEvoy

Parents are pleading with Victorian teachers not to disrupt their children’s education with industrial action just as they return to the classroom.

The Australian Education Union confirmed on Thursday that 97 per cent of surveyed members backed the action amid negotiations over a new enterprise agreement.

The Herald Sun understands that, under a Fair Work Commission order, teachers must take some action within 30 days.

It means teachers could stop writing report cards sent home to parents, as they did during previous negotiations, and refuse to take part in staff meetings after hours, or as a last resort even walk off the job.

Parents Victoria executive officer Gail McHardy said: “PV would question the timing of teachers and the union to be taking a hard line, and including in consideration the incredible amount of extra funding the state government has had to throw into everything pandemic related.

The ballot result comes as some Victorian students return to the classroom. Picture: David Geraghty

“Some parents would rightly be disappointed at teachers for complaining about their salaries when they have been gainfully employed throughout the last two years when many families have been financially devastated by the pandemic.

“PV acknowledges giving Victorian students the support they need, and to reduce workloads for teachers, would be to push for full funding from both Federal and State Government – that action PV would back wholeheartedly.”

Victorian students have lost up to two terms of face-to-face learning – more than any other state – since the pandemic began.

Among the sticking points in the negotiations between the Department of Education and union, which have continued for almost a year, is a push for a 7 per cent pay rise for each of the next three years and a 6.5 per cent increase to their superannuation.

Georgie Dent, executive director of advocacy group The Parenthood, said she “absolutely supports” the case that teachers are making to be paid appropriately.

“While on the one hand parents would not be excited about any additional disruptions to schooling this year, I do think there is understanding among parents that teachers being paid appropriately is something that does matter,” she said.

Education Minister James Merlino. Picture: David Crosling

Brunswick Secondary College teacher Steven Kolber said teachers were dealing with excessive workloads.

“Things need to change. Teachers’ workloads are through the roof,” he said.

“I call on the department and the state government to recognise our excellent work including the fact that Victorian teachers managed to get their students the top NAPLAN results whilst we’ve been teaching remotely.”

Australian Education Union Victorian Branch president Meredith Peace said the results of the ballot sent a clear message to the state government.

“Premier Daniel Andrews and Education Minister James Merlino have not done enough to address the spiralling and unsustainable workloads of teachers, principals and education support staff in public schools,” Ms Peace said.

Mr Merlino said: “We’ll continue to negotiate in good faith to reach an agreement for our hardworking school staff”.

Opposition Education spokesman David Hodgett said: “The government has been negotiating with the union for months, why haven’t they come to a resolution? This is a critical juncture for our school students and teachers and the government should have been urgently negotiating a workable outcome.”