Queensland public school teachers, members of the Queensland Teachers Union (QTU), voted overwhelmingly on July 28 to take protected industrial action for 24 hours on August 6 to pressure the Liberal-National government to deliver on its promises to address the teacher shortage crisis.
This is the first time in 15 years that teachers will walk off the job.
“The anger and frustration in our rural and remote communities is growing by the day as the government wastes time short-changing our members,” said QTU President Cresta Richardson on July 16. “These members have genuine grievances, and they are not going away.”
“The government’s offers fall well short across the board, whether its cost of living, conditions, or salaries. They just aren’t focussed on fixing the key issues, but we will make sure they understand.”
Ninety-five per cent of votes in the ballot were in favour of taking strike action. This represented the votes of about 33,000 teachers and principals across more than 100 schools.
The QTU has been pushing for nation-leading wages, action on workload reduction and measures to help turn around the extreme teacher shortage, which is particularly affecting Ipswich and central Queensland schools.
The David Crisafulli government initially offered teachers a sub-inflation wages package, which it had also offered nurses; both groups rejected the offer. It then included some sweeteners, such as a $100 payment for overnight camps, which equated to less than $20 an hour, and an additional student-free day.
It then threatened not to provide back pay if the QTU and teachers did not reach agreement by the government’s preferred date.
The QTU’s biennial conference rejected the government offer and presented members with the ballot on protected industrial action. Meetings across the state have strongly supported the action.
“We have occupational violence and aggression; we have teacher shortages across the state; we have too much compliance and paperwork, and it seems we have a government that wants to look the other way,” Richardson said.
“When mining companies want people to work out west, they pay them to come. Teachers often leave family and friends to take up these positions, and it’s time their hard work and sacrifices are recognised.”
A QTU mass meeting will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on August 6, 10.30am, and regional locations will also host meetings.
[Get in touch with the Queensland Teachers Union to find out more and get involved.]