Maitland teachers rally in Newcastle as part of state-wide strike

Over 2,500 members of the Teachers Federation from Maitland, Newcastle, Port Stephens and the Upper Hunter gathered in Newcastle to protest unmanageable workloads and staff shortages.

Across NSW, 250 schools were closed for the day.

NSW Teachers Federation regional organiser Jack Galvin Waight said the atmosphere was electric at Newcastle City Hall as teachers vented their anger and said 'enough is enough'.

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"Workloads, uncompetitive salaries and teacher shortages were the big issues with many schools simply unable to find enough teachers," he said.

"Teacher shortages and excessive workloads are crippling our schools in the Hunter."

Mr Galvin Waight said if we don't pay teachers what they are worth and address crippling workloads, we will not retain nor attract the teachers we know we need.

"Acting on uncompetitive salaries and unsustainable workloads is the only way to stop more teachers leaving and attract the people into the profession we need to fix the shortages," he said.

"This is an investment in our future.

"Our teachers and students in the Hunter deserve better."

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President at Maitland Teachers Association, Andrew Clifton was one of the main speakers at the rally.

He said there was a big turn out from Maitland teachers, and it was great to see their support.

Mr Clifton said he wants to stress to parents that this strike was absolutely necessary.

"This is not action we want to be taking but it's just so necessary, the crisis can't go on the way it is," he said.

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