Queensland teachers to strike for second time amid pay dispute with state government

Queensland state school teachers will go on strike for 24 hours next Tuesday amid an ongoing pay dispute with the state government.

Late last month, members of the Queensland Teachers' Union (QTU) overwhelmingly rejected an EBA that included an 8 per cent pay rise over three years.

The union has confirmed it will go ahead with protected industrial action on November 25, with teachers to walk off the job for a day.

It is the second 24-hour strike teachers have held during the pay negotiations, which are expected to head to arbitration.

'Could have been averted'

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday afternoon, QTU vice president Leah Olsson said members did "not want" the strike. 

"This strike should have been averted," she said.

The government has previously promised schools would stay open if strike action took place, with students to be supervised.

It has also repeatedly stood by the offer made to teachers, describing it as "historic".

Last week, Premier David Crisafulli insisted the government had negotiated in good faith and that it respected teachers.

“Ultimately that matter will now go to arbitration and they will continue to be treated with respect during that process,” he said at the time.

Ms Olsson said the union had repeatedly asked Mr Crisafulli to intervene.

She said QTU members were searching for a pay deal which would address teachers' unmanageable workloads, as well as the occupational violence and aggression they were subjected to.

Ms Olsson said the union would only agree to go to arbitration if the government agreed to a 3 per cent "administrative" pay increase, and the strike could be avoided.

"We need Mr Crisafulli to pick up the phone and start the dialogue," she said.

She would not quantify the pay offer the union would ultimately agree to, but said it was about both pay and working conditions.

Exams could be rescheduled

The union said the industrial action would include demonstrations and protests across the state, including a large event in Brisbane, which is expected to draw a crowd of thousands.

Teachers and school leaders who are union members have been directed not to attend work next Tuesday, but can make a choice about whether or not to take industrial action.

Most high schools around the state will have year 10 and 11 exam blocks running next week. Ms Olsson said each school would work to ensure exams could be rescheduled or adequately supervised by either non-union members or other staff.

She said parents could decide whether or not to send their children to school, but it would likely be more of a "supervisory" day than a normal school day. 

Parents will be notified via a letter about the plans for their school next week.

The union has said more details about the strike will be made public by this Friday.

Ms Olsson did not rule out another strike before the end of the year.

'Put welfare of students ahead of politics'

Speaking in state parliament, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie criticised the planned strike action.

"That does greatly concern the government because of the impact it will have on students across Queensland, particularly as they're approaching their year 11 exams," he said.

"The Crisafulli government has continued to negotiate in good faith with the Queensland Teachers' Union, and we remain committed to properly finalising a new enterprise agreement for Queensland teachers."

Mr Bleijie said the government wanted the QTU to immediately consent to independent arbitration in the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission.

"Regardless … the matter will proceed to forced arbitration at the end of the year," he said.

"For the sake of not interrupting senior exams next week, the Crisafulli government is ready to begin a fast-tracked arbitration process as soon as possible.

"I call on the Queensland Teachers' Union to put the welfare of students ahead of any politics."