State Council Report: 2 March 2024
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 129 No 2, 28 March 2024, page 4.
March Council reflected on the achievements of the QTU over the past 135 years and gave a Vale for Life Member Keith Storey, who was The Union’s first statewide Organiser and former Organiser for South Queensland.
The new Education Minister Di Farmer, addressed Council, outlining her commitment to the portfolio and undertaking to consult with teachers and school leaders on the ground. She announced paid professional experience placements, following on from a similar announcement about teacher-aides made last year.
Campaigns
Council rejected any use by the Department of Education of student disciplinary absences (SDA) as a measure of success and as a key performance indicator for schools, principals, school supervisors and regional directors as a key part of the Equity and Excellence strategy.
Delegates condemned the department for the lack of appropriate resourcing for release time to support Version 9 of the Australian Curriculum, and supported a work ban on student code of conduct policy and procedures until adequate support, direction and resourcing is offered for realistic alternatives to suspension. The QTU will ballot members to gauge support for these actions.
An update was provided on the progress of negotiations for improved attraction and retention initiatives for three schools whose members are at stage 3 of the dispute resolution process over teacher shortage issues. Another 11 schools are at different stages of the dispute. A workshop was held on 28 February to explore initiatives for each of the schools.
The Winning for Members report from Reps at Elanora State High School and Nanango State High School concluded by thanking members at those schools for their willingness to undertake industrial action to protect the health and safety of members at the workplace.
Appointments
Acting First Nations officer Micheal Beale was appointed substantively to the position, following the resignation of Rachel Bos last year.
Membership Growth Organiser Lynn Cowie-Mc Alister has successfully transferred into the position of Metropolitan West Organiser, following Elissa Ferguson’s resignation. The QTU will also trial a Workplace Health and Safety Organiser role until the end of the year.
Other news
QuEST, the Union’s training arm, will be self-sustaining by the end of 2024. Since QuEST commenced, it has provided professional development opportunities to more than 15,000 members.
Council accepted the financial statements for October, November, and December 2023, and endorsed the surplus QTU Budget, which includes an allocation to campaign reserves, a review of the current financial plan and QTU policy to reflect ongoing provisions to reserves, and the establishment of a capital expenditure provision.
The General Secretary provided a Trustees report in relation to the sale, replacement, or refurbishment of various QTU offices across the state.
May Council has been moved from 18 May to 25 May due to a clash with the NRL Magic Round. The TAFE Council meeting was rescheduled from 25 May to 11 May.