CHANTS, megaphones and angry faces were out in force at the Swan Hill rally of Australian Education Union members yesterday morning.
Cries of “one-term Ted” were chanted by approximately 40 protesters, who rallied outside Member for Swan Hill Peter Walsh’s office in Campbell Street.
Flags, signs and posters stood out amongst a sea of red union shirts, where the mood was more subdued than ferocious.
Teachers and educational support staff from Beverford to Kerang took part in the work stoppage, which formed part of the union’s ongoing campaign against the State Government for a new enterprise bargaining agreement to provide improved pay and conditions.
Formal negotiations for the agreement commenced approximately 18 months ago, but most recently broke down in November when the union’s revised salary offer — in line with the police pay deal — was not accepted.
Australian Education Union (AEU) industrial organiser for Loddon Michael Claven said similar rallies in Mildura and Echuca had been very well supported.
“It’s regrettable we’ve been forced to do this,” he said.
For more of this story, see Friday’s Guardian (December 7, 2012).
