Teachers, staff at Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School continue to fight for pay rise after strike

Historic strike action at one of Queensland’s oldest girls’ schools is dragging on after the first meeting since last week’s industrial action failed to resolve the concerns of teachers and support staff.

Historic strike action at one of Queensland’s oldest girls’ schools is dragging on after the first meeting since last week’s industrial action failed to resolve the concerns of teachers and support staff.

Staff at prestigious Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School walked off the job briefly last Tuesday, June 4, and staged a roadside protest with about 100 students cheering them on and waving placards.

The three-hour stoppage was part of a campaign for a cost of living adjustment payment, a new automatic step for experienced teachers and flexible access to leave.

IGGS has said its offer of just under 15 per cent extra pay over three years was very generous.

Independent Education Union – Queensland and Northern Territory organiser Andrew Elphinstone and school representatives met on Wednesday to try to find common ground but no progress was made.

Mr Elphinstone said the school indicated it was unable to improve its offer, following two meetings with the union.

Students wave a union flag and hold placards in support of their striking teachers. Picture: Jonathan O'Neill

“We are still at that point where the school don’t seem to want to address and come (up with) some ways to address the concerns that their staff have,” he said.

“Unfortunately, the school doesn’t seem to be able to plan and budget or prioritise rewarding their staff, the ones that are making that difference to the kids providing a great education.

“The rates that we’re proposing were rates that would get Ipswich Girls Grammar staff to comparable rates with other teachers.

“We have real concerns for the quality of education at the school.

“Staff love being there and they do a fantastic job, but they need to be rewarded for that.

“And it’s about trying to address the way to get a pathway that recognises the experienced teachers and keeps them at the school.”

IGGS said in a statement that it and Ipswich Junior Grammar School were committed to finding a way forward and said its 14.66 per cent offer was a generous, cumulative wage increase.

It had also offered other competitive employment conditions, ensuring comparability with rival educational institutions while maintaining a sustainable future for the school.

Principal Dr Marie Perry said the school had taken the claims of salary discrepancies very seriously.

“The school is working diligently to ensure that all key employee concerns are thoroughly considered and addressed,” she said.

“We are taking a comprehensive approach to this process, which includes careful analysis and discussions at the highest levels to ensure that the best possible outcomes are achieved for all parties involved.

Ipswich Girls Grammar exteriors. Picture: Jono Searle

“We deeply appreciate the unwavering support from our school staff, parents and the community.

“We are fully committed to addressing the concerns of our employees and ensuring the future of education at Ipswich Girls’ and Junior Grammar School remains secure.

“We look forward to continuing our constructive discussions with the union and reaching a resolution that benefits both our dedicated staff and our students.”

Mr Elphinstone said staff wanted to address the matter for the longterm benefit of their students.

“Now, the staff don’t want to keep doing any action,” he said.

“It’s actually for the quality of education that occurs at their school and for the longevity of their school.

“They are delivering great education and they want to continue to do that.

“We were absolutely hopeful that the school would come and move some way.

“The board needs to listen to their community and needs to understand that it has to be addressed.

“Our members understand that all that we’re seeking will not happen, but we need the school to move to reduce that gap.

“We need the school to address some of those other issues, such as flexibility of leave and some workload issues.

“And again, they haven’t been addressed and they are not actually cost items to the school.”

He said there would be a full meeting between the school and staff representatives on July 8, the first day of the upcoming term.