About 40 schools in the region will be affected by strike action tomorrow.
ABOUT 40 public schools in the Bendigo region will be affected by tomorrow's teacher strike.
Eight schools, including Big Hill, Colbinabbin, Donald, Marong and Rochester primaries, will close tomorrow while others will run with reduced classes.
Teachers, principals and support staff are set to rally tomorrow at Melbourne's Hisense Arena in what will be the third state-wide strike in 15 years.
The strike, considered protected action after a Federal Court ruling last week, is going ahead after the Australian Education Union and Victorian government failed to reach a resolution on Tuesday.
More than 30,000 school staff across Victoria are expected to stop work, with Australian Education Union Victorian branch president, Meredith Peace calling on Premier Ted Baillieu to put a fair offer on the table.
“Tomorrow’s state-wide strike will send a clear message to the state government that enough is enough and it must invest more in public education," she said.
“The Victorian Government continues to spend $1,453 less per student on education than the national average and has been responsible for over $2 billion in cuts and broken promises.
“The AEU put a significantly revised offer – of 4.2 per cent per year over three years - to the Baillieu Government in November. This offer was comparable to teacher salaries in NSW and South Australia and in line with the police deal in Victoria.
“We do not take industrial action lightly, but in this case, it is crucial to ensure quality teachers, principals and education support staff remain in this state and in our profession.
“It is time for the state government to treat Victoria’s public school staff with the respect they deserve and resolve this dispute without further delay."
More talks between the AEU and state government are planned for next Monday.
Schools affected in the Bendigo region:
Bendigo Senior Secondary College
Bendigo South East College
Big Hill Primary School (closing down)
California Gully Primary School
Castlemaine Primary School
Castlemaine Secondary College
Charlton College
Cohuna Secondary (closing down)
Cohuna Consolidated School (closing down)
Colbinabbin Primary School (closing down)
Donald Primary School (closing down)
Donald High School
Eaglehawk Secondary College
Eaglehawk North Primary School
Echuca South Primary School
Echuca East Primary School
Eppalock Primary School
Gisborne Secondary College
Huntly Primary School
Kalianna School
Kangaroo Flat Primary School
Kennington Primary School
Kerang Primary School
Lockwood Primary School
Maiden Gully Primary School
Marong Primary School (closing down)
Maryborough Education Centre
Mt Macedon Primary School
New Gisborne Primary School
Quarry Hill Primary School
Rochester Primary School (closing down)
Specimen Hill Primary School
Spring Gully Primary School
St Arnaud Secondary College
St Arnaud Primary School
Strathfieldsaye Primary School
Tylden Primary School (closing down)
Wedderburn College
Weeroona College Bendigo
White Hills Primary School
Woodend Primary School
Wycheproof P-12 College
Do you know of other schools affected that aren't on the list? Post a web comment and let us know.
