TEACHERS in Western Australia have been accused by Premier Colin Barnett of disrupting hundreds of thousands of children and families with "a strike for the sake of having a strike".
In an unprecedented alliance, three unions have called on 10,000 angry teachers, education assistants, library staff, lab technicians, cleaners and gardeners to attend a two-hour stop work meeting on Thursday.
They are protesting the loss of 500 education jobs, a freeze on teacher numbers and reduced funding for special programs to improve literacy, numeracy, attendance and behaviour.
But in a combative retort, Mr Barnett said the strike was unnecessary and unjustified.
"This is a strike for the sake of having a strike - what are they striking over? They are the best-paid teachers in Australia," Mr Barnett told parliament.
"It will cause distress to parents, and so many parents will be angry on Thursday if they go on strike. They will be fearful for the care of their children, that is the reality."
The State School Teachers Union, United Voice and the Community and Public Sector Union have directed members to attend stop-work meetings at Gloucester Park and in country areas.
Anger has been rising since the post-budget revelation that as many as 500 education assistants and support staff will lose their jobs as a result of a funding reallocation for WA schools.
The state government insists the cuts are not happening, pointing to a $300 million increase in funding for education this year, saying the budget is higher now than before the Liberals came into power.
Sharyn O'Neill, director general of WA's Department of Education, said it was not yet clear how many schools may shut on Thursday, but she was anticipating it would be only a handful.
"It is too early to speculate on the numbers of staff involved. It is possible that I may have to endorse the closure of some schools if they cannot provide adequate supervision for students," Ms O'Neill said.
State School Teachers' Union president Anne Gisborne said she wanted the premier to acknowledge the issues his reform would present to hundreds of schools.
"We have got a belligerent premier and a belligerent minister who are holding the line that there will be no cuts and everything will be hunky dory," Ms Gisborne said.
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