28 July 2025 | Open PDF 

Good afternoon colleague,

We are aware that the Department of Education has advised members that it has asked the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) to assist in our bargaining negotiations for a replacement agreement. This process is called conciliation.

Conciliation is a form of dispute resolution in which the QIRC helps parties negotiate and reach an agreement.  The Commission’s objective is to help the negotiating parties reach agreement on all matters, or at least as many as possible.  In order to achieve this, it may give advice or make recommendations to the parties about the conduct of the negotiations.  The minimum period a matter can be heard in conciliation is three months from the day conciliation of the matter starts.

Participating in conciliation does not stop members taking protected industrial action.

Members are reminded that the ballot for protected industrial action closes this afternoon at 5pm.

QTU Executive will meet tonight to consider the outcome of the ballots and the next step in the campaign.

Regards,
 

Kate Ruttiman                                     Cresta Richardson
General Secretary                              President