Controversial reason schools will shut down across one entire Aussie state
Teachers will perform a 24-hour work stoppage across all Queensland state schools on Wednesday August 6, which will result in students being unable to attend classes.
The strike will be the Queensland Teachers Union's first in 16 years and has been approved by an 'overwhelmingly' positive internal vote amongst its members.
Any teachers who are not in the union will still attend work on the day but those who are members said they were left with 'no other option'.
Of the 38,243 total votes cast 36,583 approved the strike after the government offered a salary increase which the union rejected in June.
This proposal would have seen state teachers receive an immediate pay rise of 3 per cent followed by another 2.5 per cent increase each year for two years.
It took 17 meetings over the course of five months to get to that initial offer, Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said.
Shadow Education Minister Di Farmer accused the LNP of prioritising politics over listening to the concerns of teachers.
Ms Farmer wants 'nation-leading' pay and conditions offered to state teachers.
'For dedicated teachers to walk off the job shows just how serious they are about this insulting offer from the government,' she said.
'The LNP are too busy playing politics, while our teachers are forced to fight for nation-leading pay and conditions.
'Why won't the Premier and his Education Minister back them with nation-leading pay and conditions?'
Mr Langbroek said his government is committed to remaining at the negotiating table until the issue is resolved.
'The Government has requested conciliation through the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission to progress an agreement,' he said.
'Student safety will remain the priority and principals will inform parents about impacts on their school community.'
Queensland Teachers Union President Cresta Richardson reaffirmed her union's strike is a protected action in response to the Crisafulli government's failure to finalise a deal.
Brisbane teacher Damion Douglass said the strike had to happen.
'This is about teachers carrying a broken system on our backs while being told to sit tight and smile through it,' he told the Courier Mail.
'We've spoken. We've written letters. We've marched in unity. We've stayed late, showed up tired, covered the gaps, and absorbed the pressure. And in return, we get a reminder that our pay will be docked if we make noise.'
School principals will be responsible for the safety and wellbeing of students during the strike.
Concerned parents have already begun reaching out to schools in an attempt to make sense of what will happen if teachers do not show up for work.
There are 48,642 members in the Queensland Teachers Union and many will attend a rally at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on the day of the strike.
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