Queensland teachers strike for second time this year after rejecting 8 per cent wage rise

Thousands of Queensland teachers have walked off the job today for the second time this year, affecting end-of-year exams for year 10 and 11 students at more than 100 schools.

Members of the Queensland Teachers' Union (QTU) resoundingly rejected a proposed 8 per cent wage increase over three years in October.

The state government said it was its best and final offer, with the matter now heading to arbitration.

The QTU has not outlined its pay demands but said the proposed enterprise agreement does not address the key concerns of members, including classroom violence and severe staff shortages and attrition.

Rallies have been staged statewide, with big crowds expected to gather in Brisbane's CBD, as well as in Cairns, Townsville, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba.

According to figures provided by the government, about 28,000 teachers were protesting or at home today, of the more than 47,000 expected at state schools. 

QTU president Cresta Richardson said parents could "thank the premier for today’s strike", which comes after more than 50,000 teachers took action in August.

"He could have communicated and agreed to the very basic, reasonable request we had for arbitration and that would have stopped this strike. Instead, he did nothing," she said.

"The issues are being downplayed and ignored. Our members will not let this continue."

The QTU asked parents and guardians to "make alternative plans" for their children, and to "highlight your support for their teachers' campaign" when reporting their absence.

According to the state government, year 10 and 11 exams at 109 state schools were impacted.

More than half of those postponed exams, while several schools have cancelled functions, including swimming carnivals, awards nights, and camps.

The decision to send students to school rested with principals and parents, with most expected to be functioning in a supervisory capacity.

In Brisbane, thousands of teachers gathered and marched through the city. Common concerns included violence, burnout, and a lack of respect.

Teacher of 35 years Teale Weller said violence in the classroom was the worst he had ever seen.

"I don't think people realise just how bad it is. I'm deeply concerned for our profession," he said.

Another attendee, Nikki Poder, said the state of the system was "dire".

"We can't recruit people. We can't retain people."

Dave Chettle said he was rallying at 60 years old out of concern for the latest crop of educators.

"I've been teaching for a long time, and the behaviour has got really bad. There's no respect for teachers anymore," he said.

"Teachers are important to society because no one gets the job they're doing unless they have been to school."

About 300 QTU members from the Gold Coast used Tuesday's strike action to gather for a branch meeting at Broadbeach.

Among them was teacher of more than 25 years Nicole Richardson, who said she had begun to question whether she wanted to remain in the classroom.

"I would like to be more supported so that I can deliver the quality education that my students need," Ms Richardson said.

"That's what's going to keep me in the teaching profession in Queensland."

Ms Richardson said her decision to strike was not about pay, but rather to highlight the working conditions faced by state school teachers.

 "My colleagues deserve to have a safe working environment, and I’m not going to stand there and silently let it happen to someone else."

Agreement could be reached 'before Christmas'

Education minister John-Paul Langbroek accused the union of "moving the goal posts" throughout the negotiations.

"Suddenly, it's not about wages, it's about conditions, and yet we've tried to prove that we've tried to deal with many of those conditions through the actions we've taken," Mr Langbroek said.

"Even today, the president of the teachers' union cannot say exactly how much of a wage rise she thinks would be a fair thing, so that's quite strange."

He noted the last offer, rejected by the QTU, was now "off the table".

"There's no point doing scaremongering about what might happen. These are all hypotheticals that could be dealt with if the union agreed to go to arbitration as soon as possible."

The union previously stated it would not agree to arbitration until the government rubber stamped a 3 per cent administrative pay increase.

But Mr Langbroek ruled that out.

"I'm sorry you can't just say, 'Oh, look, out of the bits that we really wanted, can we please add this bit'," he said.

The QTU also will not rule out the possibility of a third strike, but it is prevented from taking industrial action during arbitration.

Opposition leader Steven Miles said teachers had been left with no choice but to hold a second strike and called on the government to implement the interim pay rise.

 "Parents are left stranded with kids at home. That means kids missing out on a day of school and in some cases, exams. All of this is the responsibility of David Crisafulli. It rests at his feet," said Mr Miles.

"With the stroke of a pen he can show teachers that he wants them to get that minimum interim pay rise."

Parents support push for better pay and conditions

School drop-off was lighter than usual at Caningeraba State School on the Gold Coast on Tuesday morning.

Burleigh Waters mother Kelsey Gardiner said she backed the teachers' decision to strike.

"I support the teachers standing up for what they need … if people are going to this extent to make a point, hear them out," she said.

Not all parents have kept across the events leading up to the action.

Pip Nanai admitted she falls into that category, but said she believes everyone has a right to push to improve their work environment.

"It's awesome the kids can still attend school. I guess [the strike] is for better pay and conditions, which is fair enough," she said.

"I hope that there is some movement, that someone picks up the phone and makes sure this doesn't happen again in the future."