Union myths busted

QTU members sometimes find themselves having to respond to misinformation or baseless myth. Here are the facts on two of most commonly faced falsehoods.

MYTH: Your Union dues are used to support political parties

While many unions are affiliated with the Australian Labor Party, the QTU is not and never has been affiliated with any political party, nor does it donate funds to political parties.  Under the QTU Constitution, political party affiliation could only occur after a referendum of all members.

The QTU is affiliated with the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and the Queensland Council of Unions (QCU), the peak Australian and Queensland Union bodies, neither of which is affiliated with, or donates funds to, any political party.

The QTU does reserve the right to support or oppose candidates (before and during election campaigns), depending on their attitude and actions towards QTU policy positions – in particular public education and industrial relations.  This is because governments make decisions affecting QTU members via the political process. 

The QTU therefore expends funds on the production of material and advertising during election campaigns to promote its position, and to oppose policies harmful to QTU members. The QTU may also elect to have representation at rallies, functions and campaign launches as part of its involvement in the political process.

MYTH: Union officials are still paid when members go on strike

This is simply untrue. QTU Officers stand in unison with the teaching profession and forego their salary while teachers and school leaders are on strike.

Aleksandr Taylor-Gough
Former Acting Research Officer

Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 119 No 5, 18 July 2014, p14