Union takes a brace at Labour Day Awards
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 125 No 5, 10 July 2020, page no.4
The QTU’s campaigning activism has been recognised in the Queensland Council of Unions’ 2020 Labour Day Awards.
The Union took two honours at this year’s awards, held annually to highlight the amazing work unions and union activists do, day in and day out.
Most active and effective workplace committee* – QTU Instrumental Music Special Interest Group
The working conditions faced by the instrumental music teachers/instructors in Queensland state schools are unique. To address their specific concerns, a group of them pooled their passion for the profession and activist strength to form the QTU Instrumental Music Special Interest Group. They succeeded in taking IMT/I concerns to a wider audience, both in the Union and in the department, and succeeded in getting their issues addressed through a joint statement.
Best union story in the mainstream media – #ButtOutPM
The QTU, and President Kevin Bates in particular, responded quickly to comments from PM Scott Morrison about school resumptions in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. After weeks during which teachers had been treated by many politicians as nothing more than babysitters rather than highly trained professionals, the Union ensured that the viewpoint of educators got an airing in the wider community, with Kevin cropping up on TV, radio and press to put Mr Morrison in his place. This story ran for several days and ensured that the public understood the position taken by state school teachers and their Union, in consultation with medical authorities.
*The award was shared with The Services Union Moreton Bay Regional Council Delegates Committee