Women's e-news, Term 3 2021
QTU Women
Expect Respect Report
Thank you to the QTU women who helped distribute and promote the survey and report. The results are currently being reviewed and being developed into a publishable report for member discussion and the next steps of our campaign to address gendered-based violence in our schools and TAFE campuses. You can read more here.
Members of State Council with QTU Officers supporting the Expect Respect campaign
New QTU Women’s polo and lapel pins
While the lockdown meant that our Biennial Conference didn't quite go to plan during the July school holidays, we were able to launch the new, limited-edition QTU women's polo for the women delegates and these great QTU metal and enamel lapel pins for women (pictured – they are approx. 2.4 cm long).
Pictured is Madonna Johanson of the Women, Teachers and Girls' Education Committee (WTGEC) wearing the new QTU women’s polo. The text across the back reads “a women’s place is in her union”.
Please direct enquiries for pins and polos (with specific sizes - they are quite a slim fit so many of us have sized "up") to services@qtu.asn.au.
Anna Stewart Memorial Program 2021
In Term 2, QTU women Kate Kermode and Ali Coverdale participated in the annual Anna Stewart Memorial Project. Elected by QTU State Council, the women were hosted by the Queensland Council of Unions and the QTU, along with their respective "host" unions. The long-standing work shadowing project provides unique insights into unions, as structures and workplaces. You can read more about their time on the project here. Nominations for the annual program can be found in the first edition of the Journal each year.
Emma Miller 2021
Each year, the QTU and other Queensland Council of Union affiliates nominate a rank and file woman for the prestigious Emma Miller Award. This year, the recipient is Jenny Trevino. Jenny is a much-respected Lead Rep at TAFE Queensland Brisbane – Southbank. Her nomination recognises not only the honorary work she undertakes as a member of TAFE State Council and TAFE Executive, but also her compassion and willingness to build and encourage capacity with other Reps, her campaigning skills, and her passion for issues impacting on women. Congratulations Jenny.
You can learn more about the colourful history of Emma Miller as a pioneering Queensland suffragette and unionist and the QTU women provided with this special honour at the web link below. Click here to view the Emma Miller recipients.
Keeping in touch (KIT) days - important changes
Keeping in touch days are a public service condition that can be accessed by primary carer’s who have been on unpaid parental leave from the department (you can be receiving Commonwealth paid parental leave (CPPL) while accessing them) to enable them to reconnect with their workplace prior to their official return to normal duties. They can be accessed to attend professional development or engage in workplace planning and meetings. Prior to the start of Term 3, they were paid at a TRS rate for classroom teachers. This has now been amended, and they are now paid at your substantive rate of pay and are recognised for salary incremental purposes and leave accrual.
People wanting to know more about KIT days can access further information at the link below, noting the important change to the payment. Click here for more information on keeping in touch days.
EB10 consultation
As you would be aware, the QTU has been undertaking workplace meetings to discuss the forthcoming EB10 log of claims. Given the positive outcomes of EB9 and our gendered log of claims and the priority afforded to teaching and learning conditions, renumeration and equity, I am confident of our Union's continued support in addressing gender-based industrial issues. For more information, How to run an EB claim development meeting – a step by step guide for Union Reps can be accessed on the QTU website.
Uniform survey continues
Have those of you working in schools completed our uniform policy audit? We are keen to measure the rate of compliance with the uniform policy, which requires all schools to have a specific pant/short option for girls. Click here to view the Girls uniform audit.
FemaleFaces4PublicSpaces campaign
Female Faces 4 Public Spaces is a fabulous campaign that is the brainchild of Queensland school student Malia Knox. Together with her Mum, QTU member Kelley, she has lobbied and campaigned and created a movement that is growing in momentum and support.
Celebrated as part of Queensland women’s week this year, Malia was invited to Parliament to give a speech – this was later printed in The Courier-Mail as an opinion piece.
Malia is now working to secure a new statue of Brisbane-born NASA scientist Abigail Allwood outside the Mt-Cootha Planetarium, so that young girls like her who visit the planetarium can see and learn about a leading female space explorer. Malia has support from Statues for Equality and Women in Technology to partly fund the statue, but she needs an extra $20,000 to make it happen and is asking for help from the local community through a GoFundMe page.
This is just one of Malia's big plans to fix the gender disparity in public places across Queensland. She is also pushing for more monuments to other incredible Queensland women like Jessica Watson, Aunty Recheal Daley, Quentin Bryce, Ash Barty and so many more.
You can make a contribution to the gofundme page Fundraiser by Kelley Knox : Abigail Allwood- Bronze Statue (gofundme.com)
Queensland Women's Strategy and consultation
The Queensland Women’s Strategy 2016-21 (the strategy) outlines the Queensland Government’s vision for women and girls, with an emphasis on gender equality and related issues across participation and leadership, economic security, safety, and health and wellbeing. Input and consultation for the next five years is currently being undertaken. There are a number of ways you can have your say to inform the development of a new women's strategy:
- complete the online survey (usually takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete)
- provide a written submission in response to questions outlined in the discussion paper:
- by email—send your submission to women@qld.gov.au
- by post—send your submission to:
QWS Consultation
Office for Women and Violence Prevention
Department of Justice and Attorney-General
GPO Box 149
BRISBANE QLD 4001
The closing date to complete the online survey and to submit a written submission is 5pm Friday 8 October.
ADA review
The Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act is now 30 years old and the government is currently seeking input and submissions for the review process. Individuals are able to contribute submissions. The QTU will be providing a submission later in the year following the publishing of the discussion paper. You can find out more about the review and ways to have your say via the QHRC : Submissions.
Authorised by Kate Ruttiman, General Secretary, Queensland Teachers' Union
21 Graham Street, Milton, QLD, Australia, 4064