CANBERRA — A teachers’ strike on September 6 closed all ACT schools for half a day as 2500 teachers rallied outside the ACT legislative assembly. The action was the latest in a six-month pay and staffing dispute (see accompanying article). Clive Haggar, ACT president of the Australian Education Union, told the crowd, “ACT teachers have the worst salary package of any work force in the country. Teachers are expected to improve retention rates and provide pastoral care when they are exhausted and demoralised.” He accused the ACT Legislative Assembly of intending to bypass the AEU to secure a non-union agreement for teachers. After Haggar and ACTU president Sharan Burrow urged support for the 107 Western Australian construction workers being sued by the Australian Building and Construction Commission, a collection of $4000 was made.

Photo by Kristian Whittaker.

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