A naked man has been arrested as tens of thousands of Victorian teachers walked off the job for the first time in a decade.
The streets of Melbourne’s CBD were awash with teachers decked in red T-shirts and placards for the planned walkout, with more than 30,000 public school workers taking part.
And while the 35,000 strong protest group did not produce a single arrest, police in attendance were handed a bizarre side quest.
As they helped marshal the crowds, officers were forced to arrest a man for indecent exposure, who was not connected with the protests.
A Victoria Police spokesman said: “Police were generally happy with the behaviour of the protesters in Melbourne CBD today.
“There were approximately 35,000 people in attendance.
“One male was arrested at Spring and Bourke Street for indecent exposure. He was not related to the protest activity and was taken to hospital for assessment.
“There were no other arrests.”
The huge crowd marched through the centre of Melbourne, carrying banner and slogans.
Among the messages displayed include one stating: “Paid 38 hours per week, but work 50+. I love my job but that math ain’t mathing.”
Another, accompanied by a drawing of petrol gauge pointing to empty, reads: “Safe schools can’t run on empty.”
The strike has left more than 500 schools in the state operating on skeleton staff, as educators continue to fight the state government over pay rates.
They are attempting to push for a 35 per cent pay increase as well as other improvements to school working conditions.
And the Australian Education Union has warned that the disruption could continue beyond Tuesday’s unprecedented day of action.
“We will escalate our campaign,” AEU Victorian branch president Justin Mullaly told ABC Radio.
“They (the government) need to step up. The Premier needs to step in and actually put an offer on the table that will resolve the dispute and will value school staff.
“We know there are too many people in our schools that struggle to make ends meet. There are education support staff who have multiple jobs.”
On Monday, reports suggested some schools were encouraging parents to keep their children at home in anticipation of the strikes.
However, the state government website does not advise of any school closures in any region as a result.
It is the first time teachers in Victoria have staged a walkout since 2013.
