Victorian teachers plan industrial action as wage negotiations stall

Teachers and principals across Victoria could stop writing reports or walk off the job if the exhausted educators’ demands for a pay rise aren’t met.

The teachers’ union has been in negotiations with the Department of Education over a new enterprise agreement for almost a year. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Victorian teachers and principals are a step closer to industrial action after negotiations over a 21 per cent pay rise stalled.

The Saturday Herald Sun can reveal the Fair Work Commission has approved an application by the Australian Education Union (AEU) for teachers, principals and support staff to vote for protected action.

It means teachers from the start of the next school year could ban writing report cards sent home to parents, as they did during previous negotiations and also refuse to take part in staff meetings after hours.

As a last resort, it could even see teachers and principals walk off the job.

The union has been in negotiations with the Department of Education over a new enterprise agreement for almost a year.

Key sticking points are a 7 per cent pay rise for each of the next three years and a 6.5 per cent increase to their superannuation.

The union expects to conclude a ballot for protected action by the start of October, with a “yes” vote paving the way for teachers, principals, and education support staff to commence industrial action from February 2022.

AEU Victorian Branch President Meredith Peace said the union submitted a log of claims almost a year ago and since then has participated in good faith in over 50 negotiation meetings with the Department of Education.

“Despite this, the government has failed to adequately address our key claims of workload and salaries for teachers, principals and education support staff working in Victorian government schools,” Ms Peace said.

“Victorian public school students are the lowest funded in the country. Victoria spends $1384 less on each student every year, compared to the national average.”

Ms Peace said its members had escalated their campaign and expected the state government to address excessive workloads and deliver fair and reasonable salaries.

“Victorian public school staff are dedicated professionals, but enormous workloads have a direct impact on student learning.

“Overburdened teachers with excessive workloads, teaching large classes are unable to deliver the quality and support Victorian students need and deserve.”

Australian Principals’ Federation Victorian acting president Tina King said the federation was not supporting industrial action at this stage.

“We are continuing to negotiate as per the principles of good faith bargaining,” Ms King said.

“Workload from principals and school leaders continues to be high particularly during these challenging times, causing ongoing stress and burnout, this is at the core of our negotiations.”

A state government spokeswoman said the government would continue to negotiate in good faith to reach an agreement for its hardworking school staff.

The Herald Sun previously revealed teachers were losing out on a combined $1.8bn in wages after working an average of 660 hours a year in unpaid overtime.

The latest Victorian Government Schools Agreement was signed in 2017 and expired in April.