Adelaide teachers are threatening strike action for the second time in a month, with a second strike planned to hit in the middle of SACE exams.
“I don’t think we can underscore enough the level of anger that’s being felt in the education community,” Australian Education Union (SA Branch) President Andrew Gohl said.
The strike last month shut down more than 160 public schools and preschools, and there is criticism now over the union’s move to hold a second strike during important higher education exams.
The government has been given a deadline of November 6 to present a third pay offer, or teachers could strike on November 9 – the same day as the SACE physics and accounting exams.
Deputy leader of the opposition John Gardner said any disruption could give private school students an unfair advantage over those in the public system.
“I’d encourage them not to strike at all,” he said.
“If they’re going to, at least wait eight days until the exams are over.”
Failed negotiations between the union and the government have been underway for nine months.
The union has pushed for an 8.6 per cent pay rise in the new enterprise agreement with the government, followed by a 5.5 per cent increase in the two years after.
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Teachers also desire a support officer in every classroom, and more time to complete admin work.
The government earlier offered public teachers a 3 per cent pay rise annually over the next three years, which was rejected.
Andrew Gohl, the President at the Australian Education Union (SA Branch), insisted if strike action proceeded, exams would not be impacted.
“There will be support for year 12 students, we’ll make sure that’s the case,” he said.
Minister for Education Blair Boyer said he was “shocked” about the union’s move to conduct a second strike.
“This doesn’t advance anything, it wasn’t needed, it came as a real surprise to the government,” he said.
“I am still confident despite this that we are able to deliver a final agreement soon that will get teachers a pay rise and get teachers a workload reduction as well.”
