More than 3000 TAFE teachers across the state are expected to rally in Melbourne on August 20, following failed attempts to negotiate an agreement.

Australian Education Union Victorian Branch president, Mary Bluett, met with about 40 TAFE teachers in Bendigo yesterday.

She said the campaign’s main aim was to reduce the level of casualisation and for teachers to receive pay parity with school teachers.

“A TAFE teacher at the top of the scale in Victoria earns $13,000 less than a school teacher at the top of the scale,’’ Ms Bluett said.

“Victorian TAFE teachers have not had a pay rise since September 2006 and they still remain the lowest in the country.’’

A recent AEU survey of 76 Bendigo TAFE teachers revealed insufficient salary levels and large classes were pushing TAFE teachers to the limit, with 75 per cent having considered leaving their jobs in the past 12 months.

“Annoyed would have been the right word to use 12 months ago but a lot of people are getting angry now,’’ AEU representative at Bendigo Regional Institute of TAFE Greg Barclay said.

“Most people are seriously thinking about whether or not they stay in TAFE, or whether they move on to something else.’’Ms Bluett said the union had been in negotiations with TAFE directors for the past 11 months, but had failed to make any progress. TAFE directors have capped their annual increase offer at 3.25 per cent.

“It is made more complicated in that the State Government aren’t the employers, the TAFE institutes are,’’ Ms Bluett said.