President’s comment 21 November 2013

A rallying cry

“No can do”. That was the message that 500 QTU members and supporters sent out loud and proud to the LNP government during the rally outside Parliament on 20 November.
Joined by hundreds of other members right around the state via live webcast, they were very clear that teachers and principals will not tolerate any attempts by the government to impose fixed-term contracts for school leaders, teacher rankings or bonus pay. Neither will they stand silently by if class size targets are abandoned.

Rally guest speaker Des Elder, Assistant Secretary of the Queensland Nurses’ Union, outlined how nurses and midwives are also facing attacks on their professionalism, prompting the crowd chant of “teachers and nurses will never be defeated”.

It was a stirring moment in a rally that demonstrated the resolve that QTU and QNU members share, as well as their pride in their respective professions that focus on serving the fundamental education, health and care needs of the Queensland public.

We can reclaim our professions.
Kevin Bates
President