The Victorian state government anticipates that a fresh pay proposal offering public school teachers wage increases of up to 32 percent over four years will secure an agreement and prevent additional strikes.
Union Council in Discussions
Members of the Australian Education Union’s Victorian Branch Council have been reviewing the new offer since early Friday at their Abbotsford headquarters. Branch president Justin Mullaly plans to address the media soon.
Insiders familiar with the deliberations describe the proposal as including raises between 28 and 32 percent over four years, noting its intricate structure.
Government’s Optimistic Outlook
During a parliamentary inquiry on Friday, Industrial Relations Minister Jaclyn Symes highlighted ongoing “very productive” negotiations with the union.
“They are thrashing out the negotiations and having very productive conversations that hopefully we’ll hear more about when they have finished the conversations that they’re having right now,” Symes stated. “It is my advice that negotiations are underway as we speak, but I’m obviously not able to provide an outcome of those discussions today, but I have been advised that they are productive, and we’re getting closer and closer.”
