Strike day brings quiet streets

Public school staff pushed ahead with the strike, rejecting repeated pleas from the state government to call it off after turning down a proposed 17 per cent overall pay increase over three years in favour of the 35 per cent rise they are seeking.

While some schools across the region remained open and largely unaffected, others were left without staff on site, even as the Department of Education maintained that all schools should remain open.

On Monday afternoon, a day before the planned strike, public school principals intending to take part were advised by the Department of Education to inform their school communities how the action would impact operations.

Parents received this communication through a range of channels, including Compass, email, social media and, in some cases, directly via students if they had not already been informed.

A post shared on St George’s Road Primary School’s Facebook page stated that the Australian Education Union had called on its members to take strike action and, based on information provided to the principal, 70 teaching and education support staff would be participating.

The post clearly outlined that students were not required to attend, with families — particularly those working in critical services — encouraged to contact the school if this created difficulties.

News journalist Ashley Darling and photographer Rechelle Zammit took to the streets on the morning of the strike to see how events were unfolding.

Ashley said the schools they visited appeared noticeably quieter than usual.

“We went to St George’s Road Primary School first and there was barely anyone around, with a message about the strike displayed on the electronic board,” Ashley said.

“I saw a parent drop off two young girls, around six or seven, and drive off before they had entered the school, leaving them to walk up and down on their own until someone from the Department of Education came out to collect them.

“The streets were extremely quiet, although crossing guards were still on duty, including one I saw near Mooroopna Primary School earlier that morning.

“At the Greater Shepparton Secondary College campus there were slightly more students around, but it was still very quiet, and no-one at either site was willing to speak with us.”

While staff and schools remained tight-lipped during the strike, Australian Education Union president Justin Mullaly made it clear that, after eight months of failed negotiations with the state government, the union would continue to push for full and fair funding.

“It is in these circumstances that union members consider there to be no alternative but to take industrial action,” Mr Mullaly said.

“Teachers, education support staff, assistant principals, and principals would very much appreciate your understanding and support.”

Mr Mullaly encouraged school families to speak with their child’s school and consider how they could help, including simple actions such as writing a letter to a state Labor MP.