Teachers Reject Pike's Plea To Halt Strikes

The Age

Monday February 25, 2008

Farrah Tomazin

STATE Education Minister Bronwyn Pike has appealed to Victoria's teachers' union to cancel plans for more strikes this week, but the teachers have rejected Ms Pike's request, and accused the minister of lying about the cost of a pay increase and improved conditions.

Hundreds of teachers are this week expected to walk off the job for the third time in three months, as part of a series of half-day strikes at schools in Labor seats.

The rolling stoppages will start tomorrow in the Broadmeadows electorate of Premier John Brumby and continue until April unless the Government gives teachers a pay rise beyond its current offer of a 3.25% increase a year.

Opposition education spokesman Martin Dixon said both the Government and the union would eventually have to soften their claims. "Both sides will have to give. It can't continue on at this rate because it's the children and the parents that are suffering," he said. -- FARRAH TOMAZIN

© 2008 The Age

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