3 min read
We have certainly had our fair share of criticism since launching 9 months ago. Some of our members have also experienced some of the bullying tactics that are well known by the QTU and QIEU.
TPAQ is here to stay and we will not tolerate these bullies and don’t expect you to either.
Because the other unions are charging twice as much as is necessary to provide the service and because we don't give any of your money to any political party, we are often accused of being a fake union or a front for the LNP. What rubbish!
What they say Vs the actual truth about TPAQ
1. TPAQ is a Business.
We are not a business ❌. We are a trade union.
Both the QTU and the QIEU have been misleading teachers.
We are:
✅ a democratic, incorporated association;
✅ an industrial association (s12 FW Act & s 279 IR Act);
✅ a trade union (s3 AHRC Act).
We are QTeachers First Inc T/A TPAQ and Teachers' Professional Association of Queensland. As is clear here: https://abr.business.gov.au/ABN/View?abn=93587935271
Our elected executive can be found here: https://www.tpaq.com.au/executive
If they are so wrong about this simple issue. Don't trust them to be with your rights at work.
If you aren't happy with us, you can leave at any time. We don't lock you in like others try to do.
We will provide the legal protection that you expect of a trade union (including criminal allegations).
2. TPAQ is not a trade union
Section 129 of the Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld) says we are. The new Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld) bestows a right to form trade unions. In fact, our international obligations to the International Labour Organisation also affirm Australians’ unmitigated right to form trade unions.
3. Their legal assistance is not as good as ours
"We know the firm they use. We’ve seen their offerings to other organisations. Ours is better.”
Our firms are also a big fan of Holding Redlich and sometimes are on the same side of the table as them. They do great work. So do our legal firms. They take on cases like the Gilbert case (Search Gilbert + NPAQ) - a case which will fundamentally change industrial relations in Qld by declaring that the State Awards and Certified Agreements contravene human rights.
And between them, they file nearly 20% of all complaints at the QHRC and are involved in around 5% of individual matters at the QIRC and FWC Brisbane registry and were a leading voice in the 2018 Wage Theft Inquiry. We’ll let the petulance slide...
4. Being “apolitical” is shirking responsibilities to members
“We negotiate with politicians to get improvements in industrial conditions, school funding, professional rights and more. We analyse policies and platforms and
aren’t afraid to say what we think.” We absolutely engage in the process, you only need to see us being reported in the media and our submissions to Parliament to know as much. We don’t hold punches based on what colour of Government is in - and we never will. As a side note, why are there so many teachers still very concerned with workload issues after so many years of such great political advocacy?
In summary, we are seriously in the business of changing the status quo in QLD Education with your help. We want the system to serve both the students and the teachers, principals and school staff who do the work and not the politicians and bureaucrats who currently leach off it. To this end we have experienced and skilled representatives who walk softly but carry a big stick.
Will you help us with this task? If so, make sure you tell your Queensland teaching colleagues about us.