NSW public school teachers strike over job wages, workload

Union members are calling for a 5 per cent pay increase for three years and an extra 2.5 per cent for experienced teachers and school leaders.

They are also calling for more release time and measures to address the shortage of teachers.

NSW Teacher's Federation Queanbeyan organiser Waine Donovan said teachers were angry about a cap on public service wages and a growing workload.

"At the end of the day, [the NSW government] needs to be showing action not words," Mr Donovan said.

"People are missing out on time with their families and holidays because they're doing school work."

NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said she spoke with the Teacher's Federation president Angelo Gavrielatos on Tuesday to ask for the 24 hour strike to be called off.

"I am asking for no more disruption for our students, we need our students at school, we need our students in the classroom learning," Ms Mitchell said.

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A NSW Education Department spokesperson said the department was "deeply disappointed" about the decision to strike.

"Our priority across the department is to minimise disruption to student learning and support the wellbeing of our students and staff as we emerge from the latest COVID-19 wave and prepare for the winter months.

"The Teacher's Award is scheduled to be arbitrated in the Industrial Relations Commission in early May."

Ms Mitchell said she had sought to have the wages part of the negotiations deferred until after the state budget in June.

"The Premier has made clear the government's intention to review the wages policy for public sector staff," she said.

Public school teachers in the capital region will be meeting at the Kangaroo Rugby Club in Queanbeyan.

Schools will be offering minimal supervision on Wednesday and have communicated arrangements with families.