Queensland teachers’ union blocked from pay talks ‘after promise broken’

Queensland’s alternate teachers’ union say they have been shut-out after enterprise bargaining negotiations, after claiming they were promised to be given official trade union status prior to the election.

Queensland’s alternate teachers’ union say they have been shut out after enterprise bargaining negotiations.

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Queensland’s alternate teachers’ union says it has been shut-out of enterprise bargaining negotiations, claiming members had been promised to be given official trade union status by the government prior to the election.

Teachers Professional Association of Queensland has claimed, in a letter on Monday to its more than 2000 members, that Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie made a promise to organisers before the October 2024 state election the they would be allowed to represent their members in an official capacity.

“We … were promised by the now Deputy Premier whilst in opposition that we would be able to register as a trade union – without having to give your money to the Labor Party – so that your representation would be completely equal to the QTU,” the note read. “However, this commitment won’t come into effect in time for us to participate in the upcoming negotiations for public schools.”

The group is also concerned that enterprise bargaining with the Queensland Teachers Union would fail to address the “top-heavy” nature of the state’s Department of Education.

The Queensland government is in the midst of pay negotiations with the state’s nurses, teachers and police.