Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School teachers, staff walk off the job

Students at an elite girls’ cheered their teachers as they waved placards at the first strike in the school’s 142-year history on Tuesday morning.

Students at an elite girls’ cheered their teachers as they waved placards at the first strike in the school’s 142-year history on Tuesday morning, June 4.

Teachers and school support staff at the prestigious Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School walked off the job after negotiations for “better working conditions” fell through at a meeting yesterday.

They stopped work between 11.55am and 2.55pm, the first strike since the school opened in 1882.

An estimated 100-plus teachers and support staff were involved after staffers allegedly had their pay docked for taking lunch breaks and refusing to attend meetings.

Several students joined their teachers at Queens Park, opposite the school.

They cheered, held up placards and flags in solidarity with the industrial action while other students cheered on from the school fence.

Students at Ipswich Girls' Grammar School showed support for their teachers during Tuesday's strike action. Picture: Jonathan O'Neill

A statement released by the school said Ipswich Girls’ and Junior Grammar School had implemented “comprehensive measures to ensure that the impact on school operations in minimised” during the industrial action today.

“Regarding the management of school activities amidst the strike action, the school expects the impact on our students to be minimal,” it said.

“The school respects the diverse opinions within its staff and are working diligently to minimise any disruption to students’ learning experience.

“The school is dedicated to ensuring that the teaching and learning experiences for our students remain consistent and uninterrupted.

“To this end, the school has arranged for additional teaching staff, and will provide supervised activities, study sessions, and specialised tutoring as needed”.

Independent Education Union – Queensland and Northern Territory (IEU-QNT) organiser Andrew Elphinstone congratulated those present for their “bravery’’.

“You have continued to stand up for your colleagues in the school community,’’ he said.

“What a wonderful, dedicated bunch of support staff and teachers. We absolutely proudly stand in solidarity with you.

Teacher and support staff at Ipswich Girls' Grammar School stopped work on Tuesday June 4. Picture: Jonathan O'Neill

Mr Elphinstone acknowledged that the school had “addressed a couple of minor issues”, but had “struggled to grasp” the major issues confronting staff.

“The protected action allowed us to go to the Fair Work Commission, but even they were unable to get the school to budge,’’ he said.

“You have shown so much care and concern for your students by taking low-level action, which had no impact on the students.

“What did your employer decide to do? They decided to dock your pay.

“You decided to take low level action because the school was not listening.

“But they decided to be like big business and take money off you for having a lunch break and not going to meeting, even though you were still working.

“We have continued to push for negotiations and we had a meeting yesterday.

“But I would like to highlight that was after us (the IEU) emailing over a week ago saying we could meet Tuesday, Thursday or Friday last week.

“The school came back saying they could meet on Thursday this week, but we said no, it has got to be earlier.

“Yesterday was the first time they would meet with us, for just one hour to clarify the issues that have been voted down twice.

“You have taken protected action, low level action and the industrial action today, and they still couldn’t get themselves to actually negotiate”.

Teacher and support staff at Ipswich Girls' Grammar School stopped work on Tuesday June 4. Picture: Jonathan O'Neill.

The school said howveer that it was actively engaging in ongoing negotiation with its staff and the union.

It insisted negotiations were being “conducted with integrity and there is a shared belief that progress is being made towards an agreement that meets the staff’s expectations and maintains the school’s sustainability”.

Principal Dr Marie Perry also said in a statement that she wanted to clarify “misunderstandings from recent reports”.

“The school has been diligently addressing the concerns regarding working conditions and salary structures,’’ her statement said.

“We’ve proposed a structured pay increase plan with 5 per cent in 2024, 5 per cent in 2025, and an additional 4 per cent in 2026.

“This results in a total compounded increase of 14.66 per cent over the next three years, ensuring that our staff’s compensation remains competitive.

“While it’s true that these proposals did not receive majority support from our staff, I want to emphasise our commitment to resolving the salary issues with the urgency they deserve.

“We’ve been actively involved in discussions to find solutions that honour the contributions of our dedicated staff members.

“Furthermore, I must address the claims made by the union suggesting our school lacks the impetus to address staff’s concerns.

“Let me be clear — such statements are unfounded.

“The wellbeing of our staff and students has always been, and will continue to be, a top priority for us.“

Teacher and support staff at Ipswich Girls' Grammar School stopped work on Tuesday June 4. Picture: Jonathan O'Neill

The IEU-QNT said on Tuesday that parents at the school had begun reaching out to them, questioning why the school was not meeting the demands of the teachers and support staff.

A message of support on the IEU campaign website from an anonymous school parent said they stood with the teachers and staff at school, telling them to stay strong and that they deserved to be paid fairly.

“How on earth the school is justifying giving such a huge pay packet to the principal, yet underpaying their staff is beyond me,” they said.

“Do they realise the teachers will not stay, they will go to other schools.

“My children have been at the school for many years now, the teachers are what make it.

“If you don’t have good teachers, you don’t have a fabulous school.

“My heart goes out to the teachers. Please know your community is behind you – parents and students alike”.

Another message from a parent said: “Keep up the great work and I know you are doing the right thing”.

“As a parent of the school, I fully support the action of staff who deserve to be paid appropriately and above other sectors”.

Another parent said it was “exceptionally disappointing to learn that these expectations are currently being met”.

“As a parent at IGGS it is my expectation that teachers are afforded good conditions to support them in what is a challenging vocation and paid fairly for the extensive experience and skill they bring to the school.

“Thank you for standing up to ensure that teachers continue to feel valued and properly remunerated, because parents are so grateful for your work and want to ensure we keep the incredible staff that make the school special”.

But Dr Perry said the school’s objective remained steadfast — to foster a “positive working environment where every voice is heard and valued’’.

“I am confident that through persistent communication and shared comprehension, we can overcome the present challenges,’’ she said.

“Our staff’s dedication to our students is deeply valued and we remain committed to ensuring a supportive and equitable work environment”.

The union and representatives at the school will meet with the school next week to negotiate a single bargaining agreement.