Victorian teachers strike

Early this week, Victoria's public school teachers were 
preparing to take strike action on March 3 in response to the 
State Government's failure to advance negotiations on a log of 
claims the teachers' union had presented more than 13 months ago. 
The Victorian Branch of the Australian Education Union (AEU) says 
the 2.25 percent Brack's Government offer is "unsustainable".

"People just can't believe it", said AEU Branch Council member 
Val Steane. "They just laughed when I told them about the offer."

"A lot of us got behind the Bracks Government when it was elected 
and they have done some good things in the primary sector, but 
the secondary sector has missed out. There is a feeling that in a 
lot of ways the Labor Government is no better than the Kennett 
Liberal Government."

The AEU's claim includes a 10 percent increase each year over 
three years, actions on class sizes and firm limits on the use of 
contract teachers. Bans and limitations are already in place in a 
number of areas, including on visits of state Labor MPs to 
schools and workplaces.

AEU regional and sub branches throughout the state held planning 
meetings in the lead-up to the strike. This stoppage follows on 
from last year's September 17 Day of Action.

AEU State President, Mary Bluett, said the dispute is about the 
future and quality of public education. "We have a national 
teacher shortage and Victoria is going to feel the brunt of it." 
In 2005 the shortage is estimated to be 5000, rising to 25,000 by 
2010. Shortages continue to hit the system in specialist teachers 
and in regional areas of the state.

The latest AEU survey, in 469 schools, found shortages in maths, 
science, languages, information technology, media and legal 
studies. When the AEU put its pay claim to the Government in 
December 2002 the union expected to start negotiations quickly to 
allow schools to plan for 2004.

In an unprecedented development Victoria's Catholic school 
teachers are joining their public school colleagues in walking 
off the job.

"We gave them 13 months before this agreement expired, but the 
first negotiations didn't start until seven months after the 
claim was lodged", said Mary Bluett. She said the delays and 
paltry offer indicates a government out of touch with reality. 
"You cannot say you value education and value teachers and then 
make such an insulting offer."

The AEU believes the Government can afford to fund improved pay 
and conditions as the State's surplus is almost three times the 
$245 million budgeted for last May. "[Treasurer] John Brumby gets 
up at every state budget and says we have the most vibrant 
economy in the country", said Ms Bluett, "then he says they can't 
afford to pay improved wages and conditions for teachers. If WA 
and NSW can afford it, why can't we?"

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Acknowledgement: AEU News