Editorial: The real values behind a real union
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 129 No 8, 1 November 2024, page no. 5
It is no secret that a strong union is good for all workers, and in our case, good for all teachers and school leaders
Unions are in place to represent and fight for their members’ jobs, salaries, conditions, and safety every day. Unions and the union movement must always be about their members.
The QTU has five values: professional, courageous, united, democratic and member-focused.
We strive to maintain high standards of work, and to deal with members and their issues sensitively and respectfully. We implement the decisions of the collective, regardless of the difficulties or obstacles that stand in our way. We work collaboratively and stand together to achieve the best outcomes for our membership. We involve members in the decision making of the Union and implement those decisions on behalf of members. We ensure that members’ issues and decisions are central to our work. We work with and on behalf of members to achieve our objectives.
It is these values and the QTU’s aim to be the most democratic and representative voice of the teaching profession in Queensland on industrial and professional matters, and in support of public education, that underpin the work the QTU does every day.
The notion of collectivism and solidarity does not allow for ego. As a Union, we know that we are stronger when we work together collectively in cooperation and in solidarity; when we apply principles of democracy to our decision-making; and when we ensure that all members are treated with dignity, safety, and respect.
It is for this reason that we have implemented the QTU’s Statement of Safety and Respect – to ensure that members can raise their voices at a QTU forum or meeting.
There is no place in our Union for any form of violence, including gender-based violence, misogyny, racism or homophobia – these are the antithesis of union values.
Beyond safety, the statement also emphasises respect.
For me, respect comes from taking the time to listen, from entering into conversations or debates at official QTU forums or meetings, from understanding that others will have different views from my own. At the end of the day, we as individuals are acting on what we believe to be the best interest of members and will walk away from the conversation or meeting with the relationship intact.
I refer to this as “professional kindness”. In the Union, we debate, we disagree, we have alternate views, but we still exercise a degree of kindness or care towards the person/people with whom we have had the disagreement. In the end, whether or not our arguments are successful, we are bound by the decisions of Council and required to implement them. This is what a united, professional, democratic Union does.
Now more than ever, it is imperative that the QTU remains united and adheres to its values. As we head into 2025 and commence EB negotiations in schools and the development of the EB claim in TAFE, we need to ensure that the Union remains strong. We will also continue our campaigns for safe workplaces, fair funding, and for measures to address teacher shortages and workload.
At its core, our Union is REAL – established by teachers and school leaders for teachers and school leaders.
As a REAL union, i.e. a registered organisation, the QTU is subject to the governance expected of a Union. The QTU has and will continue to ensure that members’ money is spent in their best interests – interests determined by our democratic structures. This includes 120 branches and area councils represented on State Council, providing members from across Queensland with a voice in decisions relating to our profession, working conditions and workplace health and safety.
The QTU has more than 135 years of experience representing, advocating, and fighting for Queensland’s state school teachers, school leaders and TAFE educators. No other organisation can do or has done what the QTU does.
We have fought hard to ensure that only registered organisations, formed by the profession for the profession, have the right to represent our members in EB and other negotiations.
Ultimately, the QTU is the only Union for Queensland’s state school teachers, school leaders and TAFE educators.
When you work for the benefit of the collective, not for the benefit of a business selling membership, you win.
Thank you to all QTU members for their ongoing support this year. Together, we continue to fight to address the challenges our profession faces every day. Let’s carry this strength into 2025, as we campaign for our profession.