Victoria teachers strike again over pay and conditions

Victoria's public school teachers and principals are undertaking industrial action for the second time in four months. This strike follows the rejection of two government pay offers, most recently a 28.3% increase over four years. Thousands of union members are expected to rally in Melbourne's CBD, culminating at Parliament House.

The Australian Education Union contends that Victorian teachers are the lowest-paid public educators nationally. They are demanding a 35% pay rise over three years, aiming to align their salaries with those in New South Wales. The current pay gap sees graduate teachers earning significantly less in Victoria than in NSW.

Beyond remuneration, the dispute encompasses working conditions. The union is advocating for improvements such as smaller class sizes, a reduced workload, flexible working arrangements, and enhanced support for students with complex needs. Despite the strike, all of Victoria's 1570 government schools are slated to remain open, though many may offer only limited supervision for students.