This middle is often described as grey or murky.

The escalated industrial action from the public service is gaining momentum.

It has been helped with the impact being passed onto other Tasmanians.

Arguably, the industrial action was felt for the first time by those not in the industries on Wednesday with the teachers stop work rally.

This impact goes two ways, yet all depends on the conversations happening.

If parents were inconvenienced on Wednesday afternoon and complained the reaction would depend on whom they complained to.

Teachers clearly feel like they deserve a “fair go”.  

The department says they are getting that with their offer. 

And there are the battle lines drawn.

What isn’t up for debate, by either party, is the teachers' commitment to their job.

The majority of teachers are exceptional at their work. It’s not just the curriculum they teach, but the support they offer to their students through relationships built with parents and the community.

Like many jobs, teachers must have a passion for their industry to stay in the industry and be successful.

It’s not a 9am to 5pm job.

The Examiner is not in a position to take a side on the debate of wage negotiations. 

There are many elements in play and a lot of facts and comparisons to triple check.

It’s more than pay though, as the rally heard and the government has mentioned.

This industrial action is a conversation about staff levels, about workload, about demand and recognition of work beyond the expected.

Right now, what we do offer, is the opportunity for a balanced debate. 

We support the right to protest. 

We are lucky to live in a society where people can protest without fear of repercussions or impacts on a career.

This is an important aspect of our democracy – to hear both sides of the story.