Victorian Teachers Strike Forces School Closures as Thousands Protest Pay and Working Conditions

Melbourne, July 23: Thousands of teachers, principals and education support staff across Victoria walked off the job on Thursday, forcing many government schools to close to students as educators protested for better pay and improved working conditions.

The statewide strike, organised by the Australian Education Union (AEU) Victoria, saw large crowds march through Melbourne’s CBD before rallying on the steps of Parliament House. The industrial action followed the rejection of the Victorian Government’s revised wage offer by union members earlier this week.

AEU Victorian Branch President Justin Mullaly told the rally that the union was prepared to escalate its campaign if the government failed to negotiate a better agreement.

“We will escalate our campaign if we need to. We will stop work again if necessary to secure the outcomes Victorian teachers and students deserve,” Mullaly said.

While salary remains a major issue, many educators said the dispute extends beyond pay. Teachers are also demanding smaller class sizes, reduced workloads, more planning time and better staffing levels to address ongoing workforce shortages.

Government Defends Pay Offer

Deputy Premier and Education Minister Ben Carroll defended the government’s latest proposal, saying it includes a 28.3 per cent wage increase over four years, which would make Victorian teachers and education support staff the highest paid in Australia.

However, many teachers argue the offer does not adequately address rising living costs or deteriorating working conditions. They have also expressed a preference for a shorter three-year agreement rather than a four-year deal.

Union Rejects Government Proposal

Earlier this week, AEU members voted 51.18 per cent to 48.82 per cent to reject the government’s revised offer.

The union had initially sought a 35 per cent pay increase over three years, although it has not yet announced a revised salary target following the latest negotiations.

The current dispute follows another rejected government proposal of 17 per cent, which triggered Victoria’s first teachers’ strike in 13 years earlier this year.

Opposition Criticises Government

Victorian Opposition Leader Jess Wilson said the prolonged dispute reflected the government’s failure to negotiate effectively with educators.

“Teachers have a right to negotiate fairly with the minister, and clearly that hasn’t happened. They are on strike today because they are not being heard by this government,” Wilson said.

She declined to specify what a future Liberal government would offer teachers but insisted it was Education Minister Ben Carroll’s responsibility to resolve the dispute.

Catholic Teachers Show Solidarity

Although teachers in Victoria’s Catholic school sector were unable to participate in industrial action due to different bargaining arrangements, the Independent Education Union Victoria Tasmania publicly expressed its support.

Union General Secretary David Brear said both government and Catholic school staff face similar challenges, including excessive workloads, teacher shortages and the need for salaries and conditions that properly recognise educators’ work.

More Industrial Action Possible

Union officials have indicated that further industrial action, including another statewide strike, remains a possibility if negotiations fail to produce a satisfactory outcome.

As thousands of educators dispersed after Thursday’s rally, the union made it clear that unless meaningful progress is made on both pay and working conditions, Victoria’s education dispute is far from over.