We are less than 24 hours away from another important meeting with the unions as part of our good faith negotiations. Disappointingly the very people who will be at the table are encouraging our teachers to walk out of classrooms.
I urge the AEU to call off this action so we are able to give our teachers a pay rise they deserve and take positive actions to reduce their workload.
Our revised offer was discussed at length with representatives from the AEU and changes were made directly as a result of their feedback and what teachers have asked for.
This included a 3 percent pay increase in the first year for more than 50 percent of our teachers, a reduction in contact hours for primary school teachers from 22 to 20 hours, which is the most generous in the nation, and we have also taken steps to reduce workload pressures on our principals by employing more support staff.
The union's direction shows a complete disregard for students and their families.
The Department of Education is now assessing the negative impact of the AEU's industrial action on student learning and what actions need to be taken to ensure a duty of care to students. Parents will be informed tomorrow of these arrangements by their school.
AEU action in threatening to close our schools and disrupt learning while negotiations are ongoing is a very poor reflection on their commitment to students and their education.
More Media Releases from Jeremy Rockliff
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