Victorian public school teachers are poised to enact a second statewide strike next week, escalating their long-running dispute with the state government over funding, pay, and working conditions. The planned industrial action on Thursday, July 23, threatens widespread disruption for families and students across the state.

The Australian Education Union (AEU) Victorian branch has confirmed that its members will proceed with a 24-hour stop-work action, alongside a ban on unpaid overtime. This decision follows an impasse in negotiations, leading to a deep chasm between the union's demands and the government's current offer.

Dispute Deepens Over Funding and Workload

Justin Mullaly, President of the AEU Victorian branch, has been vocal about the necessity of the industrial action. He asserts that Victorian public schools remain the lowest funded in the nation, accusing the current administration of deliberately withholding significant financial resources.

"The Allan Labor government is purposefully denying at least $2.4 billion in funding for Victorian public schools," Mr. Mullaly stated. He highlighted the severe impact of this alleged underfunding on staff, revealing that teachers, principals, and education support staff are currently shouldering an average of 12 hours of unpaid overtime each week.

This reliance on staff goodwill, Mr. Mullaly argues, is an unsustainable and unacceptable core component of the state's school funding model. The excessive workload is reportedly a major factor in staff attrition, with only three in ten public school employees expecting to remain in the sector until retirement.

Previous Negotiations and Rejected Offer

The impending strike follows a period of intense negotiation and a previous offer that was ultimately rejected by union members. In May, after a robust campaign that included the first 24-hour teacher strike in Victoria in over a decade, the AEU leadership had reached an in-principle agreement with the state government.

This proposed deal would have granted public school educators pay rises ranging from 28 to 32 percent over four years, in addition to providing more student-free days. However, in June, union members voted against the advice of their own leadership, rejecting the offer. The government maintained that this deal would have made Victorian teachers the best paid in the country, coupled with leading conditions.

Government Urges Return to Talks

In response to the AEU's latest strike announcement, a government spokesperson has reiterated calls for the union to return to the negotiating table. The spokesperson emphasized the government's commitment to supporting hardworking teachers, school leaders, and education support staff, while urging the AEU to reconsider actions that will disrupt families across Victoria.

The previous statewide strike in March saw an estimated 35,000 teachers and supporters march to parliament in central Melbourne, underscoring the depth of feeling among educators. That action marked the first of its kind since AEU members last took statewide industrial action in 2013 during a dispute with a previous state government.

As the deadline for the industrial action approaches, the pressure mounts on both sides to find a resolution that addresses the concerns of teachers while minimizing the impact on the state's education system and its students.