Queensland Independent Education Union
MEDIA ALERT Tuesday, 24 February 2009
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Former Townsville Grammar School Staff Still Denied Backpayment. The dispute at Townsville Grammar School is still brewing with employees denied backpayment of wages. “The actions of the school in denying back payment of an increase from 1 May 2008 to departing staff has left a distaste for this style of employee treatment,” according to Terry Burke, General Secretary of the Queensland Independent Education Union. The QIEU also has claimed it would be quite wrong for the Townsville Grammar School to take comfort in the recent ballot outcome endorsing the proposed collective bargaining agreement, which was narrowly sanctioned. “The ballot outcome was a strong rebuke to the school with the QIEU at no stage encouraging a vote one way or another,” Mr Burke said. “Further, it is complete nonsense and wishful thinking, by the school, to suggest staff who left the school last year understand the school’s position on the issue of back pay.” “Indeed, numerous staff who left the school are in fact outraged by the suggestion they understand, let alone are happy with the school’s position.” Former teacher Di Hawke, who worked at Townsville Grammar School for 12 years, said she is underwhelmed by the school’s position. “It is not true for the principal to make assertions that former staff are fully supportive of the school’s position,” she said. “”I think it’s unreasonable that my hard work and dedication alongside my colleagues is deemed less important.” “As a former teacher of the Townsville Grammar School I am not alone in my assessment that the school’s actions on this back payment are mean spirited.” Another former employee of four years, school officer Trina Law agrees. “This decision shows what’s really important to the management of Townsville Grammar, and it’s certainly not valuing the contribution of dedicated staff,” she said. Mr Burke said the campaign would now widen to draw attention to the issue and bring respect for dedicated and committed staff. …Ends For further comment contact: Terry Burke, QIEU General Secretary on 0419 640 078 For further information and photo opportunities contact: Belinda Hogan-Collis, QIEU Communications Officer on 0419 653 131 “The Queensland Independent Education Union represents over 14,500 non-government education sector employees including teachers, principals, school support staff, grounds and maintenance staff, early childhood education staff and employees in business, international and English language colleges.”
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