Schools close as teachers walk off the job in South Australia

Members of the Australian Education Union today rallied outside Parliament House in Adelaide with similar protests held at Whyalla, Port Lincoln and Mt Gambier.

The union says the action has not been taken lightly as it fights for a better education system for its members and for children.

It recently rejected an offer of a 2.35 per cent annual pay rise from the government along with other changes to working conditions.

So far 258 schools have indicated they will close because of the industrial action but Treasurer Rob Lucas says that means 676 of the state’s 934 primary, secondary and pre-schools will stay open, some with modified programs.

«While we recognise the fact that there will still be significant disruption and inconvenience to parents, grandparents and students, it’s clear the union bosses have not attracted the level of support that they were seeking from school communities.

“And while we respect their right to industrial action, we have made it quite clear that no amount of chanting, waving placards and singing is going to make more money magically appear in the budget.

“The government’s offer provides millions in additional funding for schools with higher levels of complexity, for highly-accomplished and lead teachers and also country incentives.»

Despite those concerns, the State Treasurer has said the pay offer is above inflation – and South Australia cannot afford any more.

«No amount of protest action is going to give me, as the Treasurer, any more money to be able to afford an anymore generous increase of salary,» Rob Lucas said.

The union said working conditions for teachers continued to have an impact on the learning environment for students.

“We think that is too important to compromise,» it said.