Victorian teachers’ strike: 30k walk out demanding 35 per cent pay rise

Tens of thousands of teachers are trading the classroom for the picket line on Tuesday in “unprecedented” industrial action.

For the first time in more than a decade, Victorian teachers are staging a major walkout, with more than 30,000 public school workers set to take part in strikes.

It has left more than 500 schools in the state operating on skeleton staff, as educators continue to fight the state government over pay rates.

They are attempting to push for a 35 per cent pay increase as well as other improvements to school working conditions.

And the Australian Education Union has warned that the disruption could continue beyond Tuesday’s unprecedented day of action.

“We will escalate our campaign,” AEU Victorian branch president Justin Mullaly told ABC Radio.

“They (the government) need to step up. The Premier needs to step in and actually put an offer on the table that will resolve the dispute and will value school staff.

“We know there are too many people in our schools that struggle to make ends meet. There are education support staff who have multiple jobs.”

On Monday, reports suggested some schools were encouraging parents to keep their children at home in anticipation of the strikes.

However, the state government website does not advise of any school closures in any region as a result.

It is the first time teachers in Victoria have staged a walkout since 2013.