More than a dozen Tasmanian schools are shut today as support staff walk off the job, protesting what they say is nearly three decades of frozen resources and staffing levels.
Education facility attendants – including cleaners, kitchen staff and groundskeepers – will soon hold rallies outside Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s office in Devonport and Parliament House in Hobart.
Schools across the north and south are affected, from King Island District High School through to Rose Bay High in Hobart.
“Our schools have completely transformed since 1997, with new facilities, expanded programs and modern educational approaches, but investment in the people who make it all possible has been forgotten,” said John Webb, an education facility attendant based in Bothwell.
Kitchen staff are now running up to 36 cooking classes a week – more than triple the 10 classes in 1997 – but on the same staffing hours, the United Workers Union said.
“After 28 years of no investment in these essential roles, our EFAs are saying enough is enough,” Amy Brumby, Tasmania Coordinator for the United Workers Union, said.
The Department of Education, Children and Young People said it was not formally notified of the strike action.
“To ensure we meet obligations under the Education Act 2016 and to ensure the health and safety of our children, young people and staff a decision has been made to temporarily close some schools for the school day,” a department spokesperson said.
Education Minister Jo Palmer criticised the timing of the action.
“It is disappointing that the UWU is undertaking industrial action at such short notice that is causing several schools to unexpectedly close on Wednesday,” she said.
“The department has offered to meet with the UWU as soon as possible.”
“I encourage the UWU and the department to continue negotiations in good faith to avoid shutting down schools, disrupting families and preventing children from learning.”
The closures left thousands of families scrambling for last-minute childcare.
Talks between the union and the department are expected to continue in coming days.
Full list of school closures:
Cambridge Primary School
Dodges Ferry Primary School
Oatlands District School
Rose Bay High School
Sorell School
Springfield Gardens Primary School
Devonport High School
King Island District High School
Parklands High School
Penguin District School
Port Dalrymple School
Table Cape Primary School
Wynyard High School
