00:00Power! Power!
00:05Thousands of teachers have gathered in Brisbane today to take part in this strike action.
00:11Here at the Brisbane Convention Centre, there's 4,000 teachers marching towards the steps of State Parliament.
00:17Now they say that this is them at the end of their tether.
00:21After months of pay negotiations, they've flatly refused a pay deal of 8% over three years,
00:28saying it just does not cut it.
00:32We heard earlier today from the union president, Presta Richardson.
00:37She said that once again these teachers are impassioned because it's been 16 years since they last felt the need to strike.
00:45Here's what she had to say.
00:47Our members are absolutely serious.
00:49They are frustrated.
00:50We've been hearing this more and more in the last few years
00:53and we're not seeing a difference at our school level.
00:56There may be differences at a high level in regions and central office
00:59but it's not being felt or seen or heard at a school level
01:03and that's where we need to make the difference.
01:05You know the old chalk face when we talk about that?
01:07That's what our teachers need.
01:09Now Queensland's Education Minister John Paul Landbrook says the State Government is willing to return to the bargaining table.
01:17The last deal that was done was one that I can understand will have frustrated teachers
01:21when inflation was at a higher level than it is now.
01:24So we've been very clear to make sure that we've made an offer that's above inflation.
01:28I want to reassure all parents and teachers and students that we're confident that we can come to a negotiated settlement.
01:36Now this group of 4,000 strong teachers are just some of a group of 50,000 right across the state.
01:43What's brought you out today sir? Why is it so important for you to strike?
01:47Well I'm a retired teacher but my daughter's just not long in the profession.
01:54Support her and support the industry.
01:57What's brought you out today? Why is it so important for you to be striking?
02:00We're just overworked I guess. We're just always overworked. Having to do so much more.
02:06Not getting paid enough. Struggling to spend time with your own family.
02:10You know just really wanting better conditions for all Queensland teachers.
02:15And so we've heard that all day from teachers.
02:18So now they are marching to the steps of State Parliament to take this message to Queensland politicians doorstep.
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