ACT teachers reject pay offer, plan escalated strikes
The union rejected a 9 per cent pay offer and endorsed rolling and full-day strikes unless the government improves it.
The Australian Education Union's ACT branch rejected the government's pay offer after more than 12 months of bargaining. Teachers were offered a 9 per cent salary increase over three years, which would make ACT teachers the highest-paid outside the Northern Territory from February 2027.
The union endorsed rolling stop-work actions starting in term 4 and a full-day strike if the government doesn't improve the offer. A full-day strike would be the first since June 2026, when schools closed for a day.
Union president Angela Burroughs said the government has a clear pathway: listen to members and improve the deal, or face escalation. The union's 25 claims addressed workload, staffing and working conditions, with only one covering pay.
Deputy Chief Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said the government would continue negotiating in good faith.
- 9 per cent over 3 years
- Pay offer
- More than 12 months
- Bargaining period
- 25 claims
- Union claims total
- June 2026
- Last full-day strike
Why it mattersTeachers are ready to shut schools again. The government must move quickly before term 4 strikes restart.
AustraliaACT students and families face potential school closures in term 4 if the pay dispute isn't resolved before the strikes escalate.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 8 h ago
