State school teachers pushback against Queensland Teachers’ Union

Gold Coast teachers are fuming saying they’ve been left voiceless after the Queensland Teachers’ Union “back-pedalled” on proposed work bans. Now they’re pushing back. FULL DETAILS

Gold Coast teachers are fuming saying they’ve been left voiceless after the Queensland Teachers’ Union (QTU) “back-pedalled” on proposed work bans.

Now they’re wondering what are they paying union dues for?

On April 31 Department of Education Director-General Michael De’Ath allegedly “threatened” state teachers’ jobs after the Queensland Teachers Union advised 48,000 members to partake in low-level work bans. Up to 90 per cent of QTU members voted in favour for.

As of May 1 statewide teachers work bans directed by the QTU were to include the right to switch off after work, to not engage in out of hours activities and measures above usual workload.

However on the eve of May 1, Mr De’Ath emailed all state school staff describing the bans as “unprotected and unlawful industrial action”.

Director General Education Queensland Michael De'Ath

“It is disappointing the QTU did not communicate their member directions to the Department until late this morning and have placed members at risk by directing them to undertake unprotected and unlawful industrial action,” he wrote. “Department of education staff are directed not to participate in any of the work bans or other actions directed by the QTU as a result of the recent ballot. Participation in any of the QTU work bans by a staff member may be considered a failure to follow a reasonable and lawful direction issued by the Department, as your employer.”

Teachers and a QTU faction of “rank and file members” called Fightback say the QTU is not supporting members’ best interests.

QTU Fightback representative Kim Collett said members feel union leadership within had been “slack” in “fighting for members” over the “teacher crisis”.

“It was always an unprotected action – they should have prepared members and said we’re going to go on anyway,” she said.

“This is a teaching crisis – we need action. We can’t just wait for a time that is more palatable for the state government – that’s going to mean our action is less effective.”

Ms Collett said the QTU had refused to lead any industrial action on three occasions members were balloted.

Teachers are fuming saying they’ve been left voiceless after the Queensland Teachers’ Union “back-pedalled” on proposed work bans. Picture: QTU Fightback Facebook

“We have to build a rank and file network to actually prepare members to fight and push back against the union leadership,” she said.

Ms Collect said the teaching crisis was worse under the current government and frustration with the QTU inaction was growing, claiming it came down to the QTU’s political alliance with the Labor Party, which the QTU denies.

“Workload has spiralled out of control, pay is well behind inflation,” she said.

“The teacher shortage has grown which has put further pressure on staff and has exacerbated the workload.

“It’s all happened under a Labor government which is a disgrace. Teachers have been raising the alarm about workload issues for a long time and it’s been totally unheard.”

A Gold Coast teacher said teacher sentiment generally was “devastating”.

“The union hasn’t done their job,” they said. “Everyone is angry – what are we even paying our union dues for?

“When all this went down people were trying to cancel union fees and the website went down, people were being hung up on, the union doesn’t even have comments on Facebook – we don’t even have a voice in our own union,” they claimed.

The teacher of a decade said they paid $90 a month in union fees.

“I don’t have a voice – and if I want to cancel my membership I still have to pay out the whole 12 months,” they said.

“I start work at 7am and often finish up at 10pm. None of us have the energy to fight which is why we pay our union fees – but what are we even paying for?”

President of the Queensland Teachers' Union Cresta Richardson with Education and Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer. Picture: Richard Walker

Queensland Teachers’ Union president Cresta Richardson said the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission’s decision last week would not stop the QTU from campaigning.

“QTU members are determined to stand together to ensure the department adheres to its obligations to deliver safe working conditions and tangible reductions to workload,” she said.

“There are a number of activities QTU members will be undertaking.”