“This action speaks to the crisis in which we find ourselves,” federation president Angelo Gavrielatos said. “Hundreds of classes every day,and thousands upon thousands of students,are being denied their education and their the future.”
It will be the third time the state’s public school teachers have voted to strike in just over six months,and the second time NSW and ACT Catholic diocesan schools have voted to take industrial action this year. Together,the unions represent more than three quarters of the state’s teachers.
Thousands of members from across Sydney and regional locations from both states will rally in Macquarie Street on June 30.
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Negotiations over an enterprise agreement are at a stalemate,with the federation calling for a pay rise of 5 per cent a year with an extra 2.5 per cent to recognise extra experience,as well as two more hours of planning time a week.
Public sector workers will receive a pay rise lifting the cap on wages to 3 per cent this year,and a possible 3.5 per cent next year.
“Both unions have come to the conclusion that the government has its head in the sand in regards to the teacher crisis,” Gavrielatos said.“The government is attempting to silence teachers and principals on the impact of the vacancies within their school communities.”