No. 2-23, 26 May 2023 | Open PDF

TO: QTU MEMBERS

New term begins for QTU Executive

Today the Queensland Teachers’ Union (QTU) remembers and acknowledges Australia's true history and recommits itself to the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the YES campaign, and the role these will play in healing our nation. 

We acknowledge Sorry Day which marks the anniversary of the tabling in Parliament of the Bringing them Home report in 1997. Also on this day in 2017, the Uluru Statement from the Heart was delivered at the conclusion of the First Nations National Constitutional Convention at Uluru. 

While May 26 represents recognition and acknowledgement of Australia's past, it also now provides hope for the future.

Today and every day the QTU stands in solidarity with our First Nations members. 

Working for members

These updates provide members with a snapshot of the many ways in which the QTU is working for you, each and every day. The QTU is developing a new series of member communications where we will be providing updates to all members after significant member meetings, including those of Council, Conference and Executive. This edition comes to you following the QTU Executive meeting on Monday 22 May.

New QTU Executive

NOTE: this list has been corrected from the original communication emailed on 26 May

QTU Executive is made up of six Senior Officers, one First Nations representative, one TAFE representative and 12 other State Council members. Executive meets fortnightly throughout the term via videoconferencing. In between State Council meetings, the QTU Executive has the responsibility to review and discuss Union business.  

A new term has now commenced for QTU Executive. The Executive members are:

Maika Bailey – Teacher, Benowa Branch / South-East Region

Lisa Broadhurst - Teacher, North East Brisbane Branch / Metropolitan Region

Josh Cleary – Deputy Principal, Noosa District / North Coast Region

Peter Darben – Teacher, Camp Hill Branch / Metropolitan Region

Nicole Elkins – Teacher, Merrimac Branch / South-East Region

Shane Hancock - Deputy Principal, Ipswich Central Branch / Metropolitan Region

Joel Hanlon – Teacher, Townsville Branch / North QLD Region

Liam Holcombe – Teacher, Darling Downs Central Branch / Darling Downs SW Region

Kate Kermode – Teacher, Caboolture Branch / North Coast Region

Natalie Montague-Clarke – Teacher, Wynnum Branch / Metropolitan Region

Cassie Munro – Teacher, Ferny Grove Branch / Metropolitan Region

Amanda Power – Teacher, Port Curtis Branch / Central QLD Region (First Nations Representative)

Nick Shirley – Principal, Pine Rivers North Branch / North Coast Region

Scott Tibaldi – TAFE Representative

We would like to thank all outgoing members of the QTU Executive for their activism and dedication to Union governance.

A Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) payment is due this year

A lump sum COLA payment is provided for each year of the certified agreement, subject to certain requirements being met.

The department has advised that a COLA payment (3% of base salary) will be paid for the first year of the Department of Education State School Teachers’ Certified Agreement 2022.

The lump sum payment will be made in a usual pay cycle by the end of August 2023. Further information regarding the actual pay fortnight will be advised when available.

Certified Agreement Implementation Committee (CAIC) Update

On Monday 8 May, the QTU and the department met for the second meeting of the CAIC. These meetings are held quarterly with additional meetings held as required.

An implementation schedule which includes progress and timelines for priority matters arising from the certified agreement (CA) was tabled at the meeting. This document will be reviewed and amended at future CAIC meetings as matters progress and are implemented.

Artificial intelligence decision - making framework

The introduction of Chat-GPT and other AI platforms has seen a rapid adoption of these digital technologies within the education sector, yet there is little legislation or policy to guide the use of AI in schools.

In the absence of AI guidelines in education, the QTU and the Independent Education Union - Queensland and Northern Territory Branch (IEU-QNT) have collaborated to develop a Queensland framework to guide professional decision making in relation to AI and other digital technologies.

This document aims to provide guidance to schools and educators when considering the use of AI in their classrooms.

Respect in the workplace survey

On April 26, members of the Sexual Harassment Prevention working group met. This group is made up of representatives from Queensland’s Unions and the Public Service Commission. The QTU has two representatives in this working group, QTU Vice President Leah Olsson, and QTU Assistant Secretary Gillian Armit.

On the agenda was a sector-wide survey focused on sexual harassment and inappropriate workplace behaviour developed by the Office of the Special Commissioner, Equity and Diversity.

Members of the working group were reminded that school-based employees would not to be included in the survey because they participated in the school opinion survey instead. The QTU queried this when tens of thousands of potential responses to this survey would be missed. This was of particular concern to the QTU who are continuing to pursue the manner in which the department responds to sexual harassment complaints made by its employees, our members.

After QTU advocacy school-based employees will now be included in the respect at work survey. This survey will open from 30 May 2023.

Vaping in schools

The QTU calls on the Queensland Government to recognise that vaping or e-cigarette use is a public health issue requiring a multi-government agency approach. Concerned with the wellbeing of students, teachers and school leaders would welcome more government action on addressing vaping and e-cigarette use right across the community but cannot reasonably be held solely responsible for tackling such a broad public health issue. 

The QTU calls on the Queensland Government to recognise the efforts made by school teachers and leaders, and the challenges they face in preventing, educating and responding to the issue of e-cigarette use or “vaping” in schools. The QTU also calls on the government to make human resources and funding available to schools who request access to physical deterrents such as vape detectors and school officials to run this or other programs to prevent the uptake of e-cigarettes.

The Queensland Government should adopt measures that ensure all Queenslanders are exposed to the important health messages and are aware of the deterrents to vaping. 

CROSR survey extended

The department has received over 1800 responses to their survey and have decided to extend the deadline.

The QTU won a comprehensive review of school resourcing (CSOSR) during the last enterprise bargaining negotiations which is a significant element of the certified agreement. Consequently, the department is undertaking a comprehensive review of how resourcing is provided to state schools, including methodologies, procedures and systems. The survey invites staff, parents and school community members to share their views on current resourcing in state schools.

Any interested person can respond by taking approximately five minutes to complete the department survey accessible via this link https://survey.qed.qld.gov.au/n/axGhq4M.

The survey can also be accessed by scanning the QR code below with a mobile phone.

As a key stakeholder in the review process, the QTU will be conducting comprehensive state-wide consultation and will seek feedback through established processes including QTU school leader forums and area council meetings. In addition, planned focus group engagement will occur with a broad range of members representing diversity of employee roles, tailored network groups, sectors, school size, contexts and locations.

You can also provide feedback directly to the QTU CRoSR team at any time on schoolresourcingreview@qtu.asn.au.

2022 financial statements now available

Audited annual financial statements for the Queensland Teachers’ Union of Employees and the Australian Education Union, Queensland Branch are now available for the year ending 31 December 2022.

The statements can be found on the QTU website at https://www.qtu.asn.au/financials. You will need your QTU password.

Updated information/correction

The last QTU Newsflash contained incorrect advice that all schools could claim back TRS from the QCAA, however only P-6 schools can claim back TRS funding from QCAA for any teachers who have attended QCAA PD.

The QCAA will reimburse the cost for a relief teacher who covers for a regular class teacher attending an eligible activity. Teacher Relief Scheme (TRS) claim process and rates explains the process you should follow. Claims should be submitted as soon as possible after each event to ensure reimbursement without delay.

Kate Ruttiman

General Secretary

 Authorised by Kate Ruttiman, General Secretary, Queensland Teachers' Union
21 Graham Street, Milton, QLD, Australia, 4064