[3] On 19 July 2012, Fair Work Australia allowed the AEU to ballot teachers' aides and other support staff as to whether they would join a planned strike in September 2012 surrounding pay claims by the government of Ted Baillieu.
Bluett called the decision historic, saying that "we have negotiated in the case of teachers for over nine months, and it's not unreasonable to take the action that we're forced to".
[4] The ballot passed with over 97% approval, with Bluett remarking that "education support staff remain the lowest paid in Victorian schools and receive little or no recognition of their skills, experience and the crucial role they play".
[5] The planned strike took place on 5 September 2012, where Bluett said that negotiations with the Victorian government broke down on 9 April, and called a proposed 2.5% pay rise insulting.
[6] 6 days later, Bluett announced her intent to step down as AEU Victoria president on 31 December 2012, the end of her term, saying that "the union has grown enormously in strength, which is something I'm really proud of".