THIRD STRIKE: Wimmera teachers protest outside Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty's office in February. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
WIMMERA teachers are positive the change of Victorian Premier could fast-track a resolution between the State Government and the Australian Education Union.
The two parties have been disputing for two years, with teachers in pursuit of reducing contract employment, lowering class sizes, increasing salaries and solving workload issues.
Union members started industrial action last year, which has included three strikes and a report-writing ban.
The union also put a ban on overtime, encouraging teachers to refuse to work more than a 38-hour week.
Stawell Secondary College teacher and union sub-branch president Catherine Mackay said Ted Baillieu's resignation and subsequent replacement by Denis Napthine on Wednesday could bring positive change for teachers.
"It seems he is showing signs of being more enthusiastic for reaching an agreement with the union,'' she said.
"He's already put out a statement saying he wants to reach an agreement.''
Ms Mackay said she was unable to put an end-time on the dispute but expected it could be soon.
She said work bans affecting report writing were still in place and could affect people at the end of term two.
Ms Mackay said the State Government's change of leadership was a positive step for Victoria.
She said the news had offered union members hope.
"I think we can possibly see a ray of sunshine we couldn't before,'' she said.
"I thought when I heard Ted had resigned that the pressure got to him.
"There has to be a change in the government. Ted was a figure-head for some very poor decisions.''
Horsham College teacher and union sub-branch president Graeme Wilkinson said he welcomed Dr Napthine as the new premier.
He said the union shared his optimism the dispute could soon be over under Dr Napthine's lead.
"Early signs are that he seems to be a lot more committed,'' he said.
"He obviously has solving this dispute as one of his highest priorities.
"It's not a very good look for the government and it's not only teachers they're disputing with.
"It's in the government's best interest to get some of these enterprise bargaining agreements done and dusted.''
Mr Wilkinson said the State Government and the union would meet today to continue discussions.
He said the dispute had dragged out long enough.
"All we can say at this stage is it looks a lot more positive than it did 24 hours ago,'' he said.
"Hopefully it will be weeks rather than months.''