State Council Report: 5 November 2022
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 128 No 1, 17 February 2023, page no. 4
EB10
Delegates at November Council heard an update on the employer's EB ballot, which had been delayed while Treasury finalised the clause in relation to the cost of living adjustment (COLA) payment. This had to be inserted into the agreement before it was circulated for the 14 days required for consultation, prior to the ballot being held. The QTU had undertaken a review of the EB10 campaign communications through branch and area council meetings, Lead Union Representatives and QTU standing committees. In the lead up to the next EB, the QTU will develop a strategy which will reflect member feedback.
Teacher shortage
Council also discussed the Teacher Shortage Workforce Action Group, on which the AEU was represented by the Federal President Correna Haythorpe. There had been regular meetings involving the leadership of different branches of the AEU to discuss the plan and provide feedback in relation to the school funding agreements.
ST/EST/EST2
A report was provided regarding access to senior teacher, experienced senior teacher and EST2 for part-time workers. At the time, the QTU was continuing to negotiate an acceptable timeframe for eligible members to receive backpay. Council authorised the QTU to take the matter to the QIRC if it was not resolved.
Branch division
The South Burnett branch had reached its upper limit of members for a regional branch, and Council had endorsed the decision to form two new branches.The northern branch is to be named Bawi Yumbin in recognition of the First Nations owners of the area, and the southern branch is to be temporarily named Tarong, with further consultation to occur with the traditional owners of the land on a name that acknowledges their language and history.
Campaigning
The General Secretary advised that the QTU would be involved in the "Voice.Treaty. Truth." referendum for a Voice to Parliament, as well as the TAFE EB11 campaign and the finalisation of the CQU TAFE negotiations. The QTU wIll continue the join normalisation project and actively participate in the review of the allocative model and the review of the transfer and relocation systems arising from the new agreement. The QTU will continue to be actively involved in the teacher shortage and State Budget debates, celebrating the profession and addressing workload and wellbeing.
Other matters
The QTU now offers fortnightly direct debit membership payment for both existing and new members. The payment plan will be calculated over 20 fortnights to ensure that there is a break in payments over the Christmas holiday. Payments will be processed on the same day as departmental pay.
The QTU will be conducting a statewide survey on the issues that face teachers and school leaders when managing, reporting on, and supporting those dealing with challenging and persistent behaviour, and the efficacy of positive behaviour for learning programs.
State Council stood in solidarity with the First Nations land defenders resisting the land clearing and commercial development of the Deebing Creek – Jarjumbah protection site.
Delegates at State Council endorsed the QTU’s State Budget Submission 2023/2024, which was sent to the Premier, Treasurer, Education Minister, and key Members of Parliament at the end of the year.
A minute’s silence was held for life member Clive Jentz, who passed away last year.
The next meeting of State Council will be held on 4 March.