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23-Nov-07 10:10 [Asia Pacific]
Striking teachers "irresponsible" says premier Teachers striking over pay and employee reward in the Australian state of Victoria have been described as "irresponsible" by state premier John Brumby.
Mr Brumby, himself a former teacher, said what was needed was further negotiation, stating: "We've got a wages policy and what I want to do with the teachers' union is have the department sit down with them over the next few weeks and get a resolution to this issue."
The state has offered a 3.25 per cent pay rise to teachers, but the Australian Education Union has called for a 30 per cent rise over three years.
Striking teachers have already taken action in recent weeks, at a time when some students were sitting exams.
Further action was voted for by a 10,000-strong rally at the Vodafone Arena in Melbourne, which approved a further stoppage due to take place on 14 February 2008 if demands were not met by that time.
The meeting was followed by a march through the streets of the city.
Education minister Bronwyn Pike told Southern Cross Radio that meeting the pay demand would cost AU$8 billion (£3.37 billion) which would have to be taken away from other services.
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