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Sydney news: Teachers set to strike in city today against 'insulting' 3 per cent pay rise

Sydney teachers are set to march together in the city today. (ABC News: Ruby Cornish)

Here's what you need to know this morning. 

Teachers stage 24-hour strike 

Thousands of teachers from public schools and Catholic schools across New South Wales are refusing to work today in protest over pay and staff shortages. 

It's the first time teachers from government and Catholic schools have taken strike action together. 

The NSW Teachers Federation has described the government's three per cent pay offer as "an insult" that falls below inflation.

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell has expressed disappointment that teachers have chosen to strike.

This is the third lot of industrial action by teachers in seven months.

The NSW Teachers Federation said the government would not be able to fix the teacher shortage until it provided more attractive salaries.

"They're going to have to do a major reset of salaries to do that and unless they're going to address the workload issues, they're going to keep losing teachers as well," said spokesman Stephen Kelly.

The union said there were almost 2,000 staff vacancies across the state, with more than half of those in regional areas.

Free vaccine program extended by two weeks 

Free flu jabs have been extended for two weeks.  (Supplied: Lance McCord)

Health Minister Brad Hazzard is urging everyone to protect themselves against influenza, with the state's free vaccine program being extended by two weeks.

Just a third of people have taken up the offer of a free flu vaccine, which the state government introduced to try and reduce pressure on public hospitals.

New South Wales Health said the number of influenza cases continues to surge across the state, with older people and young children at particular risk of hospitalisation.

Mr Hazzard says people now have until July 17 to get vaccinated.

"Flu is rampant in the community at the moment, we need our population to go and get vaccinated, Mr Hazzard said.

"Two thirds haven't done it, so there's another couple of weeks now to go and get it done."

Rail union meets to consider new offer 

The rail union will meet today to decide whether to call off its industrial action (ABC News)

The rail union is due to meet with transport officials and delegates today to discuss the state government's offer to settle a long-running dispute over the safety of new trains.

Transport Minister David Elliott yesterday offered to spend $264 million to carry out the modifications demanded by the union.

In return, he called on the union to call off its industrial action.

The government is also demanding that the union surrenders its right to veto any new technology or practices.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union secretary, Alex Claassens, said the union would meet with senior officials and delegates today before making a final decision whether to go continue with its industrial action.

"They have promised us they're going to bring some paperwork and convince that there is a package on the table that we can take to our members," he said.

Overseas visitors returning

International tourism has begun to bounce back after the pandemic. (ABC News: Kamin Gock)

New figures show international tourism to New South Wales is starting to revive two years after Australia closed its borders to overseas visitors.

The highest number of international tourists came from New Zealand, with the state attracting 44,800 NZ visitors in the year to March.

The second largest number of international visitors came from the UK, followed by the US.

NSW remains Australia's top destination for domestic tourists, with more than 66 million visitors. 

Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres said the NSW North Coast was the nation's most visited destination for domestic overnight visitors after Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.

"The last two years have been challenging for businesses in the visitor economy but they have also inspired more Australians to see their own backyard," he said.

"NSW [was] the preferred destination of choice due to its unique and diverse tourism offering."

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