Victorian public school teachers strike over pay and conditions in 2024
Consensus Summary
Victorian public school teachers, principals, and support staff staged their first strike in over a decade on Tuesday, disrupting classes at around 500 schools across the state. The walkout, approved by the Fair Work Commission after 98% of Australian Education Union (AEU) members voted in favor, stems from dissatisfaction with pay and workloads, with teachers demanding a 35% pay rise over four years and better working conditions. The government responded with an 18.5% offer, including phased increases, but unions argue the proposal falls short. The strike saw thousands march to parliament, while some schools advised parents to keep children home, though the state government maintained schools would remain open with limited supervision. Both sources agree on the scale of the strike and key demands, but the Guardian provided additional details about supervision restrictions and the IEUâs support, while Newscomaau emphasized potential escalation and parental encouragement to stay home.
â Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The Australian Education Union (AEU) organized a 24-hour strike on Tuesday, 2024, involving up to 30,000 Victorian public school teachers, principals, and education support staff
- The strike is the first in Victoriaâs public school system since 2013, with classes cancelled or significantly disrupted at about 500 schools
- The Fair Work Commission approved the strike after 98% of AEU members voted in favor, citing low pay and excessive workloads as key grievances
- The AEU sought a 35% pay rise over four years, smaller class sizes, and improved mental health and classroom support in enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) negotiations
- The Victorian government offered an 18.5% pay package, including an 8% rise for teachers and 4% for support staff in April, followed by 3% annual increases and a 1.5% overtime allowance
- Justin Mullaly, AEU Victorian president, advised parents not to send children to school due to the strike, with reports of low attendance in some Melbourne schools
- The strike began on Tuesday, with participants marching from Victorian Trades Hall to state parliament for a rally
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The Victorian education department acknowledged that many schools would only provide supervision for a limited number of students, including primarily children of emergency workers
- The AEUâs pay demand included a 35% increase over four years, while the governmentâs offer was structured as 8% in April, then 3% annually for three years plus 1.5% overtime
- The Independent Education Union (IEU) supported the AEUâs campaign, stating salaries in Victorian education have fallen significantly below other states and are pursuing a separate case in the Fair Work Commission
- The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, urged the strike not to go ahead on Monday
- The Australian Council of Trade Unionsâ secretary, Sally McManus, highlighted that teachers sacrificed pay during COVID lockdowns and are now the lowest-paid in the country
- The AEU warned the disruption could continue beyond Tuesdayâs day of action, with Justin Mullaly stating the government needs to âstep upâ with a better offer
- Some schools reportedly encouraged parents to keep children at home ahead of the strike, though the state government website did not list any school closures
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian reported that the Victorian education departmentâs spokesperson said schools would remain open but only provide supervision for a limited number of students, while Newscomaau did not mention this specific detail about supervision limits
- The Guardian explicitly stated that principals planned to offer supervision only for children of emergency workers, but Newscomaau did not include this detail
- The Guardian mentioned the IEUâs general secretary, David Brear, explicitly supporting the AEU and criticizing Victorian salaries, while Newscomaau did not reference the IEUâs statement
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