QLD Teachers’ Union Strikes Again Amidst Government ‘Credibility Crisis’ Over Pay Standoff
Queensland teachers staged their second 24-hour strike of 2025 on Tuesday, November 25, as the Queensland Teachers’ Union (QTU) escalated its campaign against the Crisafulli government, accusing the administration of ignoring teachers’ demands and facing a “credibility crisis”.
QTU President Cresta Richardson issued a statement thanking members and the broader community for their “overwhelming support” in the fight to protect free state education. The QTU calls on the department and the government to listen to school communities and “deliver meaningful change,” citing “unprecedented levels of member participation in the entire EB11 campaign”.
The strike action follows record voting numbers among the QTU’s 51,000 members throughout the campaign. The dispute centers on an ongoing standoff, with the government’s offer of 8 per cent over three years remaining largely unchanged.
Allegations of Misinformation and Punishment
Ms. Richardson criticized the Crisafulli government, stating it “seems intent on punishing our teachers with an unnecessary and punitive full arbitration”.
The QTU President leveled serious accusations of misinformation against the government, declaring it a government with a “credibility crisis”. Specific claims disputed by the QTU include:
- The Minister’s assertion that all teachers would earn more than $100,000. Ms. Richardson called this “not true”.
- The Premier’s promise to step in and solve the standoff, which the QTU stated was “not true”.
- Reports that the Minister’s office contacted staff claiming the strike was unauthorized, which the QTU also labeled as “not true”.
Department Ensures Safety and Minimizes Disruption
Despite the industrial action, the Department of Education informed the public that schools remained operational on Tuesday, November 25. The department stressed that it took necessary steps to ensure disruptions were kept to a minimum.
The department stated it is always concerned about the possible impacts of industrial action on students, particularly during the important final weeks of the school year, where it may disadvantage their learning outcomes and wellbeing. To counter this, schools communicated with students and families about any changed arrangements. They also worked with the department to support students with any changes to assessment so that they are not disadvantaged.
The Department confirmed that when industrial action occurs, arrangements are put in place to ensure the ongoing safety and supervision of students and, where possible, the continuation of learning programs. However, the Department also noted that employees who did not perform work as directed during a period of protected industrial action will have their salaries withheld under the Industrial Relations Act 2016.
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