Education union threatens August 19 strike without teacher pay deal

Victorian public school teachers will stop work again on August 19 if the state government does not improve its pay offer in the coming weeks. The announcement comes after a major strike on July 23 that saw tens of thousands of teachers and educators protest in Melbourne's CBD. What's next? The education union says it is unclear who in the government will be leading negotiations, given former education minister Ben Carroll is now premier. The Australian Education Union says its members will stop work for 24 hours next month if the Victorian government does not return to the negotiating table with a better offer. Australian Education Union (AEU) Victorian branch president Justin Mullaly said despite media reports, the Carroll government had not engaged with the union about improving the previous offer. "We demand that the government come back and negotiate. We need to see them put a revised offer," he said. "We need to see them sign a full funding deal with the Commonwealth. "If that doesn't happen, then members will stop work, right around the state, for 24 hours on Wednesday the 19th of August." Mr Mullaly said the union was negotiating with the government up until it made its last offer on July 17. He said since the changes in government this week, which elevated former education minister Ben Carroll to the office of Victorian premier, it was unclear who would lead negotiations as the new education minister. Mr Mullaly said the union was prepared to sit down to negotiate with whoever the new minister was. "The union has made it clear both publicly and otherwise we will engage in discussions whenever and wherever the government wishes to do that," he said. "We stand ready. Is [Ben Carroll] ready? He needs to be." Mr Mullaly said union members had indicated they were prepared to take further industrial action to force the government back to the bargaining table. The ABC has contacted the Department of Education for comment. Protracted negotiations between the state government and Victorian teachers have stretched on for more than a year. [Image text:] HOTELWINDSOR COPPERFIELD GOVERNMENT REPORTCARD F ER WS M13R