- by Graham Holton
- The Guardian
- Issue #2174
Image: openclipart.org
On 25 November 2025, state school teacher members of the Queensland Teachers’ Union (QTU) staged a 24-hour statewide strike across Queensland. This was the second strike in 2025 and the first time in over thirty years that teachers have struck twice in one year.
The strike was driven by a breakdown in negotiations over pay and working conditions. Premier David Crisafulli LNP government’s offer of an eight per cent pay rise over three years was rejected by the QTU as inadequate. Teachers cited overwork, staff shortages, excessive workloads, and growing concerns about occupational violence and safety in classrooms. Teachers facing violence from students and their parents are allegedly not able to call for police protection. The union argued that these conditions had to be addressed for teachers to stay.
Rallies and major gatherings in Brisbane and regional centres showed strong union mobilisation. Talks are set to head to arbitration under the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) unless both sides come back to the table. The QTU has called for an interim pay increase of three per cent, along with serious reforms around workload and safety. The union declared teachers “had been left with no option” but to strike after wage talks with the state government broke down.
QTU Vice-President Leah Olsson said: “We need [the Premier] to pick up the phone and start the dialogue.” QTU President Cresta Richardson emphasised that “pay is important, but what’s even more important … is conditions that support their ability to teach and lead schools.”
Richardson added that “everyone will see the true resolve and determination of our members, who’ve had enough of being ignored, disrespected and shortchanged.” She said that the proposal “does not address the key concerns of members, including classroom violence and severe staff shortages.” The union criticised the government for repeated lack of progress after more than 20 meetings and a period of conciliation, calling the government’s stance one of “indifference and disrespect.”
The union said they are open to arbitration if it includes a meaningful interim pay increase of three per cent, and a serious commitment on unsafe conditions. There is no guarantee that arbitration will secure the union’s workloads, safety, and staffing levels concerns.
