After more than 4000 teachers marched through Brisbane’s CBD yesterday to demand an improved pay offer, the department and union are returning to the bargaining table in the Industrial Court of Queensland.
Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said the state was prepared to return to the table, overseen by the Industrial Relations Commission, to tweak its last offer to the Queensland Teachers’ Union.
“That’s appropriate that we’re going to sit down with this independent umpire to continue our offer — to enhance the offer that we have made,” Langbroek said.
Teachers march over the Victoria Bridge on Wednesday.Credit: Brisbane Times / Catherine Strohfeldt
He said the state had already been “dealing with” issues faced by teachers, particularly violence in classrooms and school yards, through funding agreements introduced to tackle bullying and reduce teachers’ administrative load.
“We’re continuing to address issues that many teachers have expressed concern about yesterday… making sure with all of those things together, that we can improve those conditions,” Langbroek said.
He said the state was prepared to sweeten its offer, but would not be drawn on what conditions might be added to the deal, or whether the government would increase its pay offer of 8 per cent over three years.
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