Presented by Robert Clark MP		www.robertclark.net

Blackburn High School strike unwarranted

A leaked letter from members of the Australian Education Union (AEU) at Blackburn High School claims that union officials coerced members to go on strike and excluded a number of AEU members from taking part in a meeting to determine strike action.

The Minister for Education, Phil Gude, has accused the union of distorting the truth over the extent of community consultation.

"The decision to enter into self-governance was made after wide consultation with the entire school community. On five occasions the school council voted in favor of becoming self-governing.

"This was a local decision made by the school council — the school’s democratically elected body representing the school community," said Mr Gude.

Discussion about self-governance has been ongoing at the school over the past 12 months. Letters and information were sent to all parents who were invited to submit their views. Only 2% of families at the school expressed opposition to the proposal.

"Self-governance is about giving parents a greater say in the running of their children’s schools," Mr Gude said.

(News Release, Office of the Minister for Education, June 7, 1999)