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Half-day teachers’ strike, full-day mayhem

Posted on August 5, 2008, 7:07am

Schools across Mount Gambier were empty yesterday as teachers took strike action in their campaign against the State Government for improved pay and working conditions.

The half-day stoppage was part of the second round of strikes by South Australian teachers, organised by the Australian Education Union.

Teachers, school support officers and TAFE lecturers rallied with some parents and students at the Cave Gardens yesterday before marching to Labor Government minister Rory McEwen’s office.

Although the strike action was only for the morning, schools remained almost abandoned in the afternoon.

Mount Gambier North Primary School principal Jane Turner said there were very few students at the school yesterday afternoon.

“At a guess, there was probably less than 35pc of the kids who came in for the afternoon session,” Ms Turner said.

However, Ms Turner said the school understood the difficulty placed on parents in organising students to attend for a half day.

“Working parents can’t always just nip off at lunch time or mid morning to bring their kids in, so we’ll support them in that decision,” she said.

Both Mount Gambier High School and Grant High School also had very few students at their afternoon sessions.

Grant High School principal Steven Phillips said this had also been the case in the past when half-day strike action had been taken.

“There was a very small number that have actually turned up,” Mr Phillips said.

“We’re certainly below the normal attendance.”

However, Mr Phillips said the local teachers felt the action was necessary in their fight for improved pay and working conditions.

“I think teachers have pretty strong feelings about not being valued and the complex and demanding role that they do is not being respected,” he said.

Mr Phillips and Ms Turner both said they hoped the industrial dispute would end.

“It would be lovely if it could be resolved, I think all parties want that,” Ms Turner said.

Upper South East teachers will strike on Thursday.

SARAH DUFFIELD

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