Victoria teachers strike: warning of further action as 35,000 rally and hundreds of schools cancel classes

Union leaders say Tuesday’s protest in Melbourne’s CBD was among state’s ‘biggest’ in years Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Up to 35,000 striking teachers have rallied in Melbourne, with classes at about 500 public schools cancelled, as their union warns of further action in their fight for better pay and conditions. In what unions described as the largest ever rally by Victorian teachers, an estimated 35,000 protesters created a sea of red that travelled from Trades Hall to the steps of parliament house in Melbourne on Tuesday. The crowd, clad in Australian Education Union (AEU) T-shirts, chanted: “What do we want? A fair deal! When do we want it? Now!”. Some carried signs reading: “Allan government, see me after class”, “My preps can count, why can’t the government?” and “To be paid or not be paid, that is the question”. Major CBD roads were closed to traffic, while bus and tram services were affected before resuming about 1.30pm. A spokesperson from Victoria police said the force was generally happy with the behaviour of those who attended. The AEU had earlier warned that about 500 schools had eit