Thousands of Queensland teachers have walked off the job today, launching a state-wide strike — their first in 16 years — as pressure mounts on the government to improve pay and working conditions across the education system.
An estimated 50,000 teachers and school leaders are taking part in the industrial action, organised by the Queensland Teachers’ Union (QTU), with regional meetings being held in key locations, including the Brothers Leagues Club in Cairns.
QTU President Cresta Richardson says the strike is a response to years of increasing expectations and declining support.
“We don’t have enough teachers in our school…many teachers take their work home and do work after their own kids have gone to bed at night time. There’s always more stuff to be done,” she said.
Schools across the state, including those in Cairns are noticeably quieter today, with many classes cancelled or postponed as educators rally for action.
The QTU argues that without real improvements in pay and workload conditions, Queensland risks losing more educators to burnout or interstate opportunities.
