Victorian teacher strike as it happened: School closures, rally updates and parent guide during the state’s first government-school strike in 13 years

Australian Education Union Victoria’s president Justin Mullaly told the crowd of more than 30,000 that “another day like today is not off the table”.

“There’s no doubt that we will escalate our action if that’s what we need to do,” he told thousands today.

“What we will do as a next step if we need to, and that’s to move to rolling regional stoppages.

“We’ve got the parent support, we’ve got the broader community support, and that what they need to do is get their minister and their premier to take action.”

Official figures from Victoria Police have shown there were about 35,000 people who took part in the rally in support of striking teachers in Melbourne.

A spokeswoman from the force said the police were generally happy with the behaviour of those who attended.

“One male was arrested at Spring and Bourke Street for indecent exposure, he was not related to the protest activity and was taken to hospital for assessment,” the spokeswoman said.

There were no other arrests.

The crowd has marched to Parliament House, and speeches are under way.

AEU vice president of primary education Rebekah Fewkes told the crowd teachers would not be disrespected.

“We will not be overlooked, and we will not be undervalued,” she said.

“We need a deal that truly reflects the value of [our] work.”

The crowd is being asked what they think of the offer the government has made, and are booing at parliament.

Luke Hilakari, secretary of the Victorian Trades Hall Council, said today’s action was the biggest AEU rally the state had seen.

“Right now, you guys are struggling, and we need the politicians up there to do something about it.”

He asked the crowd to raise their hands if they’d thought of leaving the profession, with many in the crowd putting their hands up.

Among those at the rally are teachers who joined the last strike in 2013.

Sue Davis, a teacher at Richmond West Primary School, has worked at the school in two stints since 1983 and believed the pay deal on offer was unfair.

She said school was closed on Tuesday as all of its union members walked off the job.

“We have photos on the staff room wall of the group who went to the last strike. I was in that,” she said.

“We were just as angry last time.

“Teachers by nature, they want to do things in a fair way. The government doesn’t treat us like that. So you have to strike and stop work and show them you are serious about this.”

She said she worries about the next generation of teachers.

“Many young teachers feel so disappointed about the amount of work they need to do. And the stress they’re under because they don’t have the resources they need, it’s very difficult.

“To get us to be like this it requires a lot, and we’ve been pushed to the limit. The offers they’ve given us, they’ve taken away much more than they’ve given.”

Among those taking part in the strike are education support staff, who are disappointed with the 14 per cent pay rise the government has offered.

Erica Ryan, a support staff member at Niddrie Autistic School, near Essendon, said this wasn’t good enough.

She said there was a lack of support, and they had been trying to negotiate for the last two years.

“What upsets me the most is the CFMEU pay rise in the past 18 months, they got more than 20 per cent. They’re offering ES [education support] staff 14 per cent.

“We are overworked and underpaid.”

Niddrie Autistic School has about 160 kids and 100 staff, most of them support staff.

“We are losing staff. We interview people and tell them the wage, and they say ‘no thanks’ because they can earn more in other industries.

“These students need more support than a mainstream classroom, and we need a fair wage for their time.”

There were 18 members of staff from the school on strike today.

“We always put the needs of the children first, [so] some people needed to stay behind and look after the children,” Ryan said.

“That’s where we would rather be, too. But we’re here to represent everyone at our school.”