Thousands of public school teachers will walk off the job on November 25 after wage talks stalled following months of negotiations.
In August, teachers walked out of classrooms for the first time in 16 years when they staged the biggest strike in the state’s history demanding better pay and conditions.
A second strike has been confirmed after the teachers union overwhelmingly rejected the Government’s so-called “historic” EBA offer that included an eight per cent pay rise over three years.
The State Government claimed the pay deal would have made Queensland teachers among the country’s highest paid, with all educators earning in excess of $100,000 by the end of the proposed package.
The Queensland Teachers Union (QTU), however, said the offer was misleading for those entering the workforce.
It would have lifted classroom wages by 3 per cent this year, followed by 2.5 per cent in 2026 and 2027, which equates to teachers currently employed at the lowest pay rates earning $104,000 plus superannuation by 2027, however newer entry-level teachers would only reach $95,000 or $99,000, plus superannuation and various incentives.
The QTU held rallies across the state last week calling on the Crisafulli Government to reopen talks, demanding a salary and conditions package “that our members see value in”.
QTU vice president Leah Olsson says members are searching for a pay deal which would address teachers' unmanageable workloads, as well as the occupational violence and aggression they were subjected to. PHOTO: QTU facebook
However, the union on Tuesday said they had “no option” but to strike, accusing the Government of ignoring them.
Last week, Premier David Crisafulli insisted his Government had negotiated in good faith and that it respected teachers.
“Ultimately that matter will now go to arbitration and they will continue to be treated with respect during that process,” he said at the time.
QTU president Cresta Richardson, however, disagreed.
“This could all have been avoided. The only party unwilling to communicate and negotiate is the Government,” she said in a statement.
“The Government has offered nothing but indifference and disrespect.”
Union vice-president Leah Olsson said the QTU had repeatedly asked Crisafulli to intervene.
She said QTU members need a pay deal that also addresses teachers’ unmanageable workloads, as well as the occupational violence and aggression they were subjected to.
“We need Mr Crisafulli to pick up the phone and start the dialogue,” Olsson said.
Demonstrations and protests are set to be held across the state next Tuesday as part of the 24-hour, protected industrial action.
It is believed the date coincides with Year 11 student exams worth 25 per cent of assessment.
Olsson said each school would work to ensure exams could be rescheduled or adequately supervised by either non-union members or other staff.
“Members don’t want to strike,” she said.
“But our community deserves enough teachers in its schools, and our students deserve safe classrooms and the resources they need to learn - the Government is deliberately letting them down.”
The QTU has vented member frustration a month after Queensland’s public nurses and midwives accepted a $1.8 billion pay deal from the State Government - double their initial offer.
The state’s nurses and midwives are set to be among the highest paid in the country after voting in favour of the new agreement, marking their biggest wage increase since 2012.
“Nurses secured extra financial benefits through negotiation ... but [Crisafulli] has opted to shortchange educators,” Olsson said.
The teachers union said the State Government had persisted with the rejected deal over more than 20 meetings and a period of conciliation in the industrial commission.
Pay negotiations are set to head to arbitration, a process that may take two years.
The teachers union said December 30 was the earliest date arbitration could begin.
Olsson said parents could decide whether or not to send their children on the day of the strike, but it would likely be more of a “supervisory” day than a normal school day.
Parents will be notified via a letter about the plans for their school next week.
The QTU said more details about the strike will be made public by Friday.
The Queensland Government has been sought for comment.
(with AAP)
