Matt Hrkac | filmmaker, writer, award winning photographer

Early educators demand better working conditions

By Matt Hrkac
Social Justice | Workers Rights
September 8, 2022

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Close to 1,000 early childhood educators stopped work and rallied in Melbourne to demand better pay and working conditions.

Early educators from as far as Geelong, the Surf Coast, Ballarat and Bendigo, as well as from all around the metropolitan area, rallied at Fed Square, before marching to Treasury Gardens.

The action was part of a nationwide day of action initiated by the workers’ union, the United Workers Union, as part of the Big Steps campaign.

The vast majority of early childhood educators in Australia are paid barely more than the minimum wage, while burnout in the sector is rife. Retail workers are paid a higher base hourly rate.

Leading up to the action, educators vowed to shut the early childhood sector down. They encouraged parents to stay home with their children, or to bring them to one of the many rallies taking place across the country.

View Melbourne photos below:

Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.
Early childhood educators walk off the job for better pay and stronger working conditions.

Matt Hrkac

Matt Hrkac is an award-winning photographer and photojournalist based in Geelong and works across Melbourne and throughout Victoria.

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