The Australian Education Union (AEU) has been advocating for a 35% pay increase over four years for Victorian public school teachers, highlighting the need to address pay disparities and excessive workloads. The union's demands are grounded in the reality that Victorian teachers earn approximately $300 less than their counterparts in New South Wales and often work an average of 12 hours of unpaid overtime weekly.
The state government's initial offer of a 17% pay rise over four years was rejected by the union, leading to industrial action on July 23. The AEU has indicated that further strikes and bans on additional duties, such as responding to department emails and working unpaid overtime, remain on the table if the deadlock continues.
The government's call for the AEU to call off the strike and return to the negotiating table is a positive step. However, it is crucial that these negotiations lead to a fair and equitable agreement that addresses the concerns of educators. Investing in teachers is investing in the future of students and the quality of education in Victoria.