The Greens stand with public sector workers, striking over the Liberal Government’s failure to provide fair pay for school support staff, and conditions to relieve teacher workload and decrease school violence.
Schools wouldn’t run without support staff like teachers’ assistants, lab technicians, library assistants, cleaners and admin staff. They deserve to be paid the same as their mainland counterparts doing the same, valuable work.
Teachers’ workloads are unmanageable and violence in schools is only rising. It’s leading to burnout, and much-needed teachers leaving the profession. It’s time to end chronic understaffing, and cut down on unnecessary after-school meetings and admin.
Striking is a last resort for teachers. They don’t want to have to leave their classrooms or students as the school year nears its end. But the Liberal Government’s failure to provide them with the pay and conditions they deserve has forced their hand.
It’s past time the Liberals provided teachers and school support staff with a deal for proper wages and conditions that match the important work they do to ensure Tasmania’s children have a safe and successful education that sets them up for a bright future.
