Striking teachers will rally in new Premier Denis Napthine's home seat. Picture: Nicole Garmston Source: Herald Sun
STRIKING teachers will rally in new Premier Denis Napthine's home seat as their campaign for better pay and conditions escalates even further.
The action, to occur on April 30, is the first in a fresh round of half-day regional stoppages statewide.
It comes as talks today again failed to resolve the two-year industrial dispute.
Australian Education Union Victorian president Meredith Peace said she was pleased the Premier had taken performance pay off the negotiating table but teachers now needed to see what he was prepared to offer.
``We do not take industrial action lightly, but in this case we must keep fighting, it is crucial to ensure quality teachers, principals and education support staff remain in this state and in our profession,'' Ms Peace said.
``To ensure every Victorian student receives the education they deserve, we need to attract and retain the best quality teachers.''
As well as targeting marginal Coalition MPs, teachers and support staff will march in rural and suburban centres and hold street stalls.
The final schedule of stoppages, to be held throughout May and June, is being finalised.
Ashley Gardiner, spokesman for Teaching Profession Minister Peter Hall, said: ``The Premier last week announced that the Coalition Government would take performance pay off the negotiating table, which would allow the parties to focus on resolving the EBA in the immediate term.
``It was a decision made in the spirit of good faith, and we look to the AEU to embrace that same approach to reach a productive and responsible outcome."
The government and union were continuing to have productive discussions, he said.
The Australian Education Union in November reduced its pay claim to 12.6 per cent over three years; the government offered 2.5 per cent a year plus performance pay.
It had claimed the top 70 per cent of teachers would receive a performance bonus of up to 10 per cent.
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