Teachers across Dungog are poised to strike on Thursday, leaving many parents and carers scrambling to find childcare alternatives.
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The state's public and Catholic school teachers are set to stage a historic joint 24-hour strike on June 30 as anger escalates across the profession over staff shortages, mounting workload and pay
The Regional Organiser for the NSW Teachers Federation, Jack Galvin-Waight, said he was disappointed that the newly announced state budget did little to mitigate low wage growth and an overall lack of teachers.
"The budget did nothing to address unstable work loads, and the chronic teacher shortage that's crippling our schools in Dungog," he said.
"As a result an unprecedented and historic strike by all public and diocesan catholic school teachers will occur. Marching together will be a display of unity and commitment."
It will be the third time the state's public school teachers have voted to strike in just over six months, and the second time NSW and ACT Catholic diocesan schools have voted to take industrial action this year.
This strike comes after the announcement that public sector wages will increase 3 per cent every year, rather than the previous 2 per cent.
"It's a pay cut," Mr Galvin-Waight said. "It's a slap in the face that does nothing to address the main issue of workload and teacher shortages."
The announcement of this strike has left many parents in Dungog worried who will be taking care of their children during the strike. Natalie Newtown is one such mother who will have to take time off work to watch her children
"It's a bit disheartening when we've spent so much time in the last few years off school, our children have missed out on a lot of schooling," she said.
Despite this, Mrs Newton understands why teachers are striking but is left feeling frustrated.
"I understand the reasoning behind the strikes but it's just more time that kids are having off school. It's just frustrating."
Working in Dungog's NeighborCare facility, any time off work has a significant impact on the whole family.
"For me, it's a lack of income and for my daughter it's a lack of education," Ms Newton said.
As a single mother as well, Ms Newton is worried about how taking time off work for these strikes will affect her budget.
"A lack of income is not something I can afford to do. So having time off work and potentially losing income could spiral the whole weeks budget. I know it's only one day but one day can make a difference to a single mum."
Despite this, Ms Newton largely supports the cause that the strikes are for but questions their effectiveness.
"I can see the reason they're doing it for. Is there another way they can go about getting what they want?" she said. "I think the strike is justified in a lot of ways but I just don't think it's working and I think the impact it has on families and children is not worth the hassle."
The Department of Education has called on the New South Wales Teachers Federation to call off the strike in the light of the salary increase announced in the State's budget.
"Parents want their children in school and no one needs another day out of the classroom. The best place for students is at school," a spokesperson from the Department of Education said.
The Department of Education also warned that if the strike went ahead minimal supervision will be provided to students where possible. They also urged principals to keep schools open where they can. The teacher's strike comes at a time when nurses and rail workers are also threatening to strike.