Victorian teachers set to strike after rejecting latest pay deal

Members of the Australian Education Union (AEU) Victorian Branch have rejected the Victorian Government’s latest public school pay and conditions offer, with the union preparing for a 24-hour stopwork action tomorrow, 23 July.

More than 50,000 AEU members participated in the online ballot, representing 90.2 per cent of eligible voters. The final result saw 51.18 per cent vote to reject the offer, while 48.82 per cent voted in favour.

AEU Victorian Branch President Justin Mullaly said the result reflected ongoing concerns among public school teachers, principals and education support staff about workload, staffing pressures and school funding.

“AEU members have been telling the Victorian Labor Government for years that the under-resourcing of public schools in Victoria is making their work untenable,” Mr Mullaly said.

The union said concerns about workload remain a key issue, citing its claim that public school staff work an average of 12 hours of unpaid overtime each week.

Mr Mullaly said the vote sent a message to the Victorian Government that further action was needed to address public school funding and workforce challenges.

The AEU has announced members will proceed with a 24-hour stopwork action on Thursday, with teachers and education staff gathering at Bourke Street Mall before marching to Victorian Parliament House.

The union’s industrial action follows ongoing negotiations between the Victorian Government and the AEU over pay and conditions for public school employees.

The Victorian Government has previously highlighted investment in education, including funding for schools, teacher recruitment and workforce initiatives, while negotiations continue with education unions.

The AEU has called on the government to provide additional funding for public schools and present a revised pay and conditions offer that it says recognises the work of teachers, school leaders and education support staff.