South Australian teachers have voted in favour of a strike amid ongoing concerns over the government’s plans to deal with Covid in classsrooms.
More than two thirds of teachers in the state voted to strike when face-to-face classes resume on February 2.
Years one, seven, eight and 12 and reception are set to retuxjmtzywrn back to school on Wednesday with other grades returning two weeks later.
Australian Education Union SA branch president Andrew Gohl told the ABC, teachers need a safe learning environment for both students and staff.
“The main sticking points at the moment is the significant disparity that exists between the eastern states and South Australia with regard to the regime around rapid antigen testing,” Mr Gohl said.
“Other issues include leave provisions, particularly for those who are vulnerable, and working from home arrangements for those vulnerable workers as well, and particularly those workers that may be going home to family members that may be immunocompromised.”
The government‘s current back to school plan opens up schools from January 31 for children of essential workers.
Schools do not have access to widespread rapid antigen testing for students or teachers, unless a teacher is considered a close contact of a Covid case.
The Australian Education Union (AEU) will meet with the state government on Tuesday to negotiate the ongoing safety of students after it previously advocated for a two-week delay in the start of the school year.
“If the executive believes sufficient progress has been made then members will be re-balloted to postpone the action,” the union said in a statement.
“If the executive is dissatisfied then the action will remain on foot pending any timely additional progress in discussions.”
The union raised over 19 issues with the state government, prompting them to release 3000 air purifiers for classrooms.
The union will decide on Tuesday whether the strike will go ahead.
