A state government has offered a beefed-up pay and conditions deal to public school teachers and other educators in a bid to head off a third statewide strike.
The Australian Education Union’s Victorian branch on Monday announced the state government had offered the renewed deal to public school educators.
It comes as the workforce prepares to strike for the third time on August 19.
The new offer builds on the government’s previous proposal of a 28.3 per cent pay rise over the next four years, which the union narrowly voted down in July.
Under the revised offer, staff would receive a $2000 lump-sum payment while face-to-face teaching hours and meeting commitment concessions would be secured.
Some workers, including classroom teachers and education support employees at the top pay sub-division of each classification range, would also get an annual lump-sum payment of one per cent.
The union’s joint primary and secondary sector council was meeting on Monday afternoon to consider the new offer.
Negotiations between the state Labor government and union have dragged on for more than a year, boiling over into two statewide strikes.
An estimated 20,000 protesters marched through Melbourne’s city centre in July after unionised educators rejected the state government’s latest offer.
It was only narrowly voted down, with 49 per cent of members supporting the deal and 51 per cent rejecting it.
An early statewide strike in March attracted an estimated crowd of 35,000 people in central Melbourne.
Education Minister Gabrielle Williams met with union representatives on Monday morning and said her “sleeves were rolled up” since taking over the portfolio last week.
“It’s my number one priority,” she told reporters.
“I’m eager as the incoming minister to ensure we can get a deal on the table that meets the needs of both Victorians and teachers and educational support staff.”
Australian Associated Press is the beating heart of Australian news. AAP is Australia’s only independent national newswire and has been delivering accurate, reliable and fast news content to the media industry, government and corporate sector for 85 years. We keep Australia informed.
