QTU everywhere
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 126 No 3, 9 April 2021, page no.14
Over the past few months, you may have noticed that the QTU's social media pages have featured many posts from across the state using the hashtag #QTUeverywhere.
There is a very good reason for that. Queensland is a vast state, and the QTU has members in every school and TAFE college, from the Tweed River to the Torres Strait and from the rainforests on the coast to the desert and channel country on the South Australian and Northern Territory borders.
Across these vast distances, our dedicated team of Regional Organisers undertake workplace visits, attend local QTU branch meetings, invite new members to join the QTU, assist members with local campaigns, and provide professional advice and support to our more than 48,000 strong membership.
Our Organiser team is complemented by our expert team of Industrial, Legal, Research and Services Officers based in Brisbane. Members also receive information and advice at the end of the phone from the Queensland Teachers’ Assist Desk, which receives thousands of calls each month.
Every Officer of the QTU has walked in your shoes, as we all are registered teachers and have a wide range of teaching and school leadership experience that we now use to work with and for members to improve your life at work.
This level of support and service, coupled with the industrial strength we possess when we act in a united and collective way, is only possible because more than 48,000 teachers and school leaders choose to belong to the Queensland Teachers’ Union.
2021 is going to be another big year, with our Biennial State Conference being held in Brisbane in late June. Conference is both the supreme decision-making body of the Union (setting policy and endorsing changes to the QTU Constitution and Rules) and the best representation of our democratic and diverse organisation, with two delegates from every branch across the state in attendance. The policy platform set at Conference this year will also inform the forthcoming log of claims for the next certified agreement negotiation.
As we chart a course through the 132nd year of our proud history, it is useful to reflect upon what previous custodians of our mighty Union created and achieved and what we, as the current generation of members, will do together to create our own history.
Take some time to talk to your colleagues about what you want your Union’s legacy to be. The QTU is everywhere. In every workplace. But we can only win when we are united and encourage everyone to join and contribute to our success.
The next time a QTU Regional Organiser or Officer visits your workplace, make an effort to say hello and talk to them about what is important to you and your colleagues. Take some time to invite a colleague to join your Union. You could also ask for a team photo that can be posted to Facebook or Instagram, celebrating being part of the QTU in your part of the state.
The QTU is everywhere and we will continue to campaign with and for members. Our power comes from our members. We want you to feel proud and strong and empowered as a member of the Queensland Teachers’ Union.
#QTUproud #QTUproudanddeadly #QTUeverywhere