Negotiations have been underway since August last year, without an offer from the Government, the union reports.
Yesterday the AEU applied to the Fair Work Commission to conduct a ballot of members to endorse protected industrial action – including stopping work – which has been swiftly opposed by the Government.
Protected action ballots are secret ballots that give employees the chance to vote on whether or not they want to initiate protected industrial action.
“We have been negotiating in good faith with Premier Allan’s government for six months,” Branch president Justin Mullally said.
“Their failure to come to the table with an offer on wages and key conditions is bad enough, but to deny public school staff the chance to have their voices heard through voting to endorse protected industrial action is unacceptable and not what any Labor government should do,” he argued.
The State Government has previously come under fire for holding back $2.4 billion in funding to public schools through to 2031, with Victoria’s teaching workforce now the lowest paid in the country.
This year, teachers in NSW will earn $15,000 more than their Victorian counterparts.
A graduate Victorian teacher will be paid $79,589, while in NSW the same teacher will be paid $92,882.
An experienced Victorian teacher will be paid $118,063 compared to $133,422 for their counterpart in NSW.
Based on current figures, in October this year, a Victorian school principal new to the role will start out $27,841 (or 18 per cent) behind.
One Melbourne secondary teacher recently told EducationHQ she had considered moving interstate to better her financial circumstances.
“I think New South Wales is a really attractive option for teachers here who feel they are not living a good life or are financially constrained just by living in Victoria.
“With the state of the teaching system [here], I think even more people are going to consider moving north, and let’s not forget there hasn't been any promise of an increase of pay over the next four years.”
Taking to Reddit in light of the development yesterday, one teacher posed, ‘Who’s ready for a strike??’.
“I'm so onboard ngl [sic]. We get paid so poorly for being the education state…” they added.
Weighing in on the discussion, one educator argued that “sustained strike action is the only way to improve conditions. The only way.”
Another chimed in with a note of solidarity: “you guys got absolutely stuffed last time, let's hope you get an offer that matches NSW as an absolute minimum”.
Commenting on the protracted negotiation period, one teacher noted the union was trying to get a deal done before the state election in November “whilst we still have bargaining power”.
“Whatever people may think of the last agreement, the union seem to be a lot more savvy and hardline this time,” they posted.
“Expect work to rule and work bans Term 1, and a series of strikes Terms 2 and 3. If you aren't in the union and want better pay, a say in the negotiations through your sub branch and regional meetings, and the right to industrial action, join the union now.
“Bring it on! Victoria has never been the Education State and frankly I'm seriously considering taping over my number plate slogan with something much more accurate.”
But one union member said they could not afford to strike if it involved a full day out of the classroom, due to their “single income family with kids to support”.
Another warned teachers to follow through with voting if they did opt to strike.
“Don't do what WA teachers did. More went on strike than actually voted. The union got away with negotiating for less than what people who had their pay docked for,” they flagged.
“Victoria’s public school staff are being taken for granted and disrespected by the Allan Labor Government, with excessive workloads and serious wage disparity compared to other states.”
Mullaly said public school staff were heading into the new school year underappreciated by the Allan Government and with their schools underfunded
“…no wonder there is chronic shortage of teachers,” he concluded.
