Queensland teacher strike explained: Your questions answered
Thousands of teachers will walk off the job across the state for 24 hours on Wednesday. This is how it will impact students, parents and school staff.
Thousands of Queensland state school teachers are set to walk off the job on Wednesday in their first strike action since 2009.
They will gather at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre as they up the ante in their fight over enterprise bargaining agreements.
It will be the first time teachers have gone on strike in 16 years. In 2009, the action was labelled a nuisance by parents.
Here is everything you need to know about the strike.
Will schools close?
“Schools will be open and operational on August 6. However, where alternative arrangements need to be made, principals will communicate with parents and carers in a timely manner through the usual channels,” a department of education spokesman said.
Should I keep my kids at home?
The Queensland Teachers Union president Cresta Richardson has urged parents and caregivers to keep students at home and “make alternative arrangements”. However, Education Minister John- Paul Langbroek said he wanted students at school.
What will school look like if I do send my kids?
“Appropriate support will be provided to students attending school, and schools remain committed to minimising disruption to learning,” the spokesman said.
“Schools have contingency plans developed in consultation with regional offices and non-teaching staff to maintain school operations.”
Planned parent teacher interviews will need to be rescheduled, according to an email from Patricks Road State School to parents.
“At this stage, it is unclear on how many teachers from Patricks Road State School will be participating in this industrial action,” principal Kerri McGrath wrote.
However, please be assured that the school will remain open during this time, though normal classes are likely to be disrupted.”
Will my school’s tuck shop be open?
Queensland Association of State School Principals president Pat Murphy said it was up to individual schools based on the number of kids attending and the circumstances of the school if tuckshops would remain open.
“In a primary school, tuckshop convenors are working with principals to determine how many kids are attending,” he said.
“It’s about the needs of those students so depending on the number of students they may have to pre-order from the tuckshop, but it may close depending on the anticipated number of kids, coming to school.”
What will happen with after school care, extracurricular and camps?
“After school care operates differently, because in a lot of our schools they’re run by a private provider,” Mr Murphy said.
“Our principals will be liaising with coordinators whether that’s from the P&C or private companies.
“OSHC will run as normal in most locations from what I’ve heard.
“From what I understood, extra-curricular activities have been cancelled for the day in a lot of schools, the exception is camps.
“Chess clubs, choirs and other activities that are run by school staff have largely been cancelled, but it may be different for activities run by private providers.”
Will my school keep me informed?
“Principals will communicate with parents and carers through their school’s usual communication channels including emails,” the department spokesman said.
How will any missed learning be made up?
“Appropriate support and instruction will be provided to students attending school, and schools remain committed to minimising disruption to learning.”
Why is the strike happening?
The action came after the union rejected the Crisafulli government’s offer of salary increases of 3 per cent, 2.5 per cent, and 2.5 per cent over the next three years.
The union revealed a whopping 36,583 out of 38,243 total votes were in favour of the strike.
