Thousands of WA teachers walk off the job

Frustrated, fired up and ready for a fight. More than 8000 people marching across Matagarup Bridge gathering at Gloucester Park, where there are calls for change, were the loudest. From Broome to Bustleton, regional teachers also put pencils down. A 12% pay rise over 2 years and smaller class sizes. Just some items on their long wish list. It’s not even just about pay, it’s about getting smaller class size. It’s about valuing teachers. And if you don’t start with teachers, then what are you gonna do? The state government so far offering 11% / 3 years workload reduction needs to be in the offer for us to be able to take it to members. Not just salary now, we haven’t seen strike action like this from teachers in WA for 10 years and the union says more will come if an agreement isn’t reached soon. Karen, you’ve been a teacher for around 50 years, why are you here today? I’m here today because conditions have never been as bad as they are today. The pay is awful, the student behaviour is terrible and teachers conditions have deteriorated greatly. Eugene Marshall has been teaching for 10 years and like many, he’s feeling overworked supporting and funding education. Helps everyone, not just teachers because. You know, an educated society has less crime, more culture, a better economy. The action meant quieter scenes that drop off this morning. Around 22 schools forced to close entirely, most providing supervision until lunchtime. Teachers I think are the backbone of any society. And if they want better pay, I’m sure they were pushed into this corner and they won’t ask for anything unless they really deem it. The union now giving the government until May 10 to make a better offer and warning a full day strike isn’t off the table. We are continuing to negotiate with the teachers in good faith. We are confident that we will find a resolution. Amber Wilkinson, 9 News.