South Australian teachers strike

Leslie Richmond, Adelaide

On July 5, 5000 Australian Education Union members from schools, preschools and TAFE campuses rallied at Parliament House, closing half of one of the city's main streets. The state-wide half-day strike was called in response to the state Labor government's continued refusal to meet the AEU's claim for a pay increase that would set salaries for South Australian teachers at the national midpoint, and to address workload issues.

The government unsuccessfully attempted to use the Industrial Relations Commission to prevent the strike, trying to get the commission to terminate the bargaining period so that any strike would not be a protected action under current industrial relations law.

Other rallies took place in regional centres across the state, including Whyalla, Mount Gambier, Port Pirie, Port Augusta and Berri. Many rural AEU members leafleted their towns.

The Adelaide rally was addressed by state AEU president Andrew Gohl, AEU federal secretary Susan Hopgood and Unions SA secretary Janet Giles. Motions were passed condemning the government's stance and committing the AEU to an ongoing campaign and further actions.

Vigils will be held outside state education minister Jane Lomax-Smith's office at 84 Prospect Road, Prospect, on July 19 at 10am, and then at industrial relations minister Michael Wright's office at 50 Grenfell Street, Adelaide on July 21 at 10am.

From Green Left Weekly, July 13, 2005.

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From GLW issue 633