WHAT: Strike action and meeting of Catholic school teachers and support staff members of the Independent Education Union – Queensland and Northern Territory (IEU-QNT).
WHEN/WHERE: 10:45am Wednesday, 23 August 2023 outside St Andrew's Catholic College Redlynch Valley – 185/205 Redlynch Intake Rd, Redlynch QLD 4870
WHY: IEU members are taking this action to have their voice heard on critical concerns related to the workload crisis in schools and the fact support staff in Queensland Catholic schools are still paid outdated and unfair wage rates.
IMAGES AVAILABLE: IEU members with campaign placards and IEU-QNT Far North Queensland Organiser Patrick Meikle will be available for interview.
IEU-QNT Branch Secretary Terry Burke said employees had no choice but to take strike action.
“Queensland Catholic school employers have failed to take the steps needed to protect working and learning conditions in their schools,” Mr Burke said.
“We have a workload crisis in our schools that needs to be addressed.
“Meanwhile, support staff in Queensland Catholic schools are still paid outdated and unfair wage rates.
“There are some significant challenges facing Queensland Catholic schools which have major impacts on staff and students.
“Our members are taking this action to raise the alarm that things need to change – it’s time the employers heard our voice,” Mr Burke said.
Far North Queensland Catholic school staff are part of 4000 IEU members taking strike action across 106 Catholic schools tomorrow.
Far North Queensland Catholic schools where IEU-QNT members are striking tomorrow:
- Good Counsel College, Innisfail
- Mother Of Good Counsel School, Cairns North
- Newman Catholic College, Smithfield
- St Andrew's Catholic College Redlynch Valley, Redlynch
- St Augustine's School, Mossman
- St Francis Xavier's School, Manunda
- St John's School, Silkwood
- St Joseph's School, Parramatta Park
- St Mary's Catholic College, Woree
- St Michael's School, Gordonvale
- St Monica's College, Cairns
- St Rita's School, Babinda
- St Stephen's Catholic College, Mareeba
- St Therese's School, Bentley Park
ENDS
About us:
The Independent Education Union – Queensland and Northern Territory (IEU-QNT) represents more than 17,000 teachers, school support staff, principals, early childhood education and VET and RTO employees across Queensland and the Northern Territory. www.ieuqnt.org.au
Contact details:
Laura Wise, IEU-QNT Communications Manager: lwise@ieuqnt.org.au / 0419 653 131
