School closures, rally updates and parent guide during the state’s first government-school strike in 13 years
The union wants a 35 percent pay increase over the next four years, as opposed to the government’s offer of 17 percent over the same period. When asked what figure would get workers to call off the strike, Mullaly said education professionals “will be waiting for an offer that will value their work.”
“We have to ask what we think we are worth as a workforce,” he said. “We think we’re worth 35 percent, but it’s a negotiation and we’re negotiating right now and we’ll continue to do that.
“What we want is an offer that actually values us. What we have is national reference wages that don’t even come close to what the government’s current offer is.”
“We are extremely understanding of the impact (the shooting) has had on children and families, and we would actually rather be at work today. We want to be at the front of the classrooms and support children’s learning.”
“But the government has not done enough and they need to understand how strongly the profession feels about pay increases that support their needs, as well as easing the workload.”
Mullaly said the community supports the teachers’ efforts, but if today’s action does not resolve the problem, more strike action may be possible.
