This week’s planned public teachers’ strike has been avoided following a vote on a new pay agreement.
79 percent of Australian Education Union (AEU) members in Victoria expressed approval for the state government’s latest offer in a snap online ballot, which closed on Monday, August 18th.
The deal will see a wage increase of between 28.3 and 32.4 percent for public school employees over four years, as well as a reduced number of required meeting hours and four professional practice days each year.
It also includes a “lump sum payment” of $2,000 for those who sign their new contracts.
The endorsement of the new deal by teachers brings to an end months of industrial action, including a 24-hour stop-work directive which was due to take place on Wednesday.
In a video uploaded to social media, AEU Victoria branch president Justin Mulally congratulated members on their efforts.
“Well done to every AEU member for the pressure you put on the government,” Mr Mulally said.
“Well done for taking stop-work action, for implementing bans and limitations, for engaging your colleagues and parents and the broader community in which you work.
“Together, we’ve been able to get a significant outcome that delivers real pay increases, real improvements to conditions, and we got a commitment from the state government to deliver full funding for our schools.”
But Mr Mulally conceded the Union had “more to do”.
“We need to make our schools safer; we need to make sure the federal government delivers funding for school buildings and infrastructure; and we need to make sure that the state government delivers on their promise to fully fund our schools,” he said.
Premier Ben Carroll – who previously held the role of Education Minister – is welcoming the agreement, saying it will make Victorian teachers the best-paid in the country.
“It recognises that great public education starts with valuing the people who deliver it,” Mr Carroll said in a statement.
“It also gives them back what matters just as much as pay: time.
“Time to plan lessons properly. Time to support students who need it most. Time to do the job they came into teaching to do.”
The pay and conditions offer will now go to all public-school employees for a wider vote.
The government estimates the deal would cost taxpayers $5.4 billion over four years.
Should it be approved, an experienced teacher will earn an annual salary of just over $151k by 2029.
