2023 Union Reps Conference
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 128 No 2, 31 March 2023, page no. 14
On Friday 3 March, 418 QTU workplace representatives from across the state attended the 2023 QTU Union Reps Conference, which this year was themed “Union Business”.
This is the QTU’s largest annual event, which provides QTU Workplace Representatives with the opportunity to hear from a range of keynote speakers on major issues facing the profession and our Union.
QTU General Secretary Kate Ruttiman emceed conference, which this year took place at the Hilton Hotel in Brisbane, introducing an impressive line-up of guest speakers.
Kicking off the list was QTU Vice-President Leah Olsson, who delivered a keynote speech aligned to the conference theme (see page 12 for more).
Next up, delegates were taken through the latest certified agreement by QTU Deputy General Secretaries Leah Mertens and Brendan Crotty, and were introduced to QTU Project Officer Cindy Freier, who is leading the QTU’s work on the review of school resourcing that was a major outcome of the EB10 campaign (see page 6).
There was also an update on a number of enhancements in teacher and school leader working conditions and salary, on the Queensland government’s employee superannuation changes, as well as information on the proposed cost of living allowance (COLA), which is likely to be delivered to all eligible members in August this year.
QTU President Cresta Richardson hosted a professional issues panel titled “Shaping the future of Teaching and Learning,” which featured presentations from Dr Anna Hogan (QUT) and Jo Butterworth (QCAA Executive Director, Curriculum Services). Both speakers focused on the challenges and opportunities facing the teaching profession and the emergence of artificial intelligence systems.
A highlight for many delegates was a speech by Thomas Mayo, a Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander man and the National Indigenous Officer for the Maritime Union of Australia. Thomas is a signatory to the Uluru Statement from the Heart and has spent the past five years travelling Australia with the statement and sharing it with the Australian community.
Thomas shared his powerful personal story, including finding his own voice within his union on the wharves of Darwin in the 1990s Patrick’s dispute and his involvement in the constitutional convention process that led to the development of the Uluru Statement from the Heart in 2017.
The QTU has accepted the invitation to join First Nations people in a movement of the Australian people for a better future, and we will be part of the ACTU “Unions for Yes” campaign in the lead up to the proposed referendum later this year, which will be seeking to enshrine a First Nations Voice in the Constitution (see page 10).
The final session of the conference saw Rachel Drew, partner at Holding Redlich Lawyers, provide a detailed update of current legal pitfalls for teachers and school leaders. QTU Teachers and the Law seminars will be held across the state and online throughout the remainder of 2023, with Rachel and some of the other lawyers who provide the QTU members with support, advice and representation through the QTU’s Legal Assistance scheme.
To wrap up the day, conference delegates were invited to stay after proceedings for a celebration of International Women’s Day, featuring a special guest performance from Brisbane musician Jem Cassar-Daley. One of the many highlights of this function was seeing one of Jem’s former teachers from Bulimba State School catching up with her and grabbing a photo to share with staff at the school.
Thank you to each delegate who gave up part of their busy Term 1 to attend. QTU Workplace Reps are the heart of the QTU, and the time they volunteer to support their peers is invaluable.
If you are currently a Workplace Rep, I would also encourage you to consider attending one of our many QTEC training events across the state this year. Details about upcoming training session can be found at www.qtu.asn.au/qtec