Editorial: The value of the QTU
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 127 No number 4, 3 June 2022, page no.5
A few months ago, the opposition spokesperson for Industrial Relations spoke in Queensland Parliament suggesting that the fees the QTU charges were excessive and unnecessary and called on us to account for how we spend our members’ money.
Ironically, the QTU accounts for how it spends members’ money every year. It is our view that the only people that we should be accountable to in relation to the use of their dues are our members themselves.
Let’s be clear, QTU dues are calculated as less than 1 per cent of a member’s annual income. This money is used to ensure that members are represented industrially, legally and professionally.
The QTU is everywhere. We employ more than 100 people to support the 48,000 members across that state. We recognise that our members are busy in their workplaces and so we meet them where we can. We have a network of 14 Organisers across the state, with offices in Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, Maryborough, the Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Springwood and Milton. As our Organisers travel across the various regions, we also have office space in Bundaberg and Mackay. Our Organisers conduct branch meetings, Area Council and workplace visits. They are available to support members in local campaigns and in meetings.
In addition, the QTU provides advice and information via the Queensland Teachers’ Assist Desk and through the network of services officers, who are specialists in professional issues such as curriculum, teacher registration, initial teacher education, industrial awards and agreements, women teachers, leave, discrimination, transfers, incentives, teacher accommodation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander member issues, workplace health and safety, special education and legal issues.
Industrial
Under the Industrial Relations Act, Queensland, the QTU is the only teachers union that can represent members in EB negotiations in the state system. This means that during EB negotiations (such as those occurring right now), the QTU is the only organisation that can represent the voice of the profession on the single bargaining unit. Others may claim to have a place in the process, but they are wrong. Industrial representation also extends beyond EB negotiations. The QTU ensures the implementation of the industrial instruments within workplaces and is one of three Unions that has a place on local consultative committees. We also negotiate memoranda of agreements and other system-wide processes during the life of any agreement, particularly when they have an impact on the working and learning conditions of children.
Campaigns
The QTU campaigns to not only address existing issues, but also to improve members’ working conditions and students’ learning conditions.
Legal
The QTU’s legal assistance is second to none. The relationship that we hold with the team of lawyers at Holding Redlich has extended for more than 40 years. The members of this team are the leading education law specialists in the state. Holding Redlich aid financial members of the QTU in relation to issues arising at work. Financial members of the Union can also access a free 30-minute consultation on other legal matters. Holding Redlich supports members by providing free legal seminars across the state every year, as well as attending QTU conferences. They act as the Union lawyers and advise the Union of the potential impact of changes in legislation and parliamentary inquiries.
Professional
The QTU represents members on various boards, including: the Queensland College of Teachers, Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority, QSuper, Queensland Council of Unions, Teachers Union Health and Union Shopper. We have intervened in curriculum reviews and been active on the Workload Advisory Council. When a professional issue impacts on members’ working conditions, we have negotiated joint statements to ensure their consistent application across the state.
These are only a few of the many things that the QTU does.
So the next time someone questions what it is that the Union does and how it spends members money, the answer is simple – it spends its money by living its values. We are member focused, democratic, professional, united and courageous in ensuring that our members’ voices are heard professionally, industrially and legally – something we have done for more than 130 years, and something that we will continue to do.