Over 50,000 Queensland teachers strike over pay and conditions

ABC NEWS (Australia)

More than 50,000 Queensland teachers have gone on strike amid an industrial dispute with the state government over pay and working conditions.  The Queensland Teachers’ Union rejected an offer to raise wages by 8 per cent over three years, with union president Cresta Richardson saying teachers were at breaking point.

Transcript

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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