Queensland teachers walk off the job for 24 hours in historic state-wide strike for more pay

Classrooms were empty and streets packed as tens of thousands of teachers staged a historic walkout on Wednesday over pay, workload, and the future of education — their first in 16 years.

More than 50,000 Queensland teachers were called upon to take to the streets across the state on Wednesday in a dramatic escalation of the bitter standoff with the state government.

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The Queensland Teachers’ Union (QTU) declared the 24-hour walkout to be the largest teacher strike in the state’s history, with mass rallies held from Cairns to the Gold Coast.

Brisbane’s CBD was brought to a standstill as throngs of educators marched from the South Brisbane Convention Centre to Parliament House chanting “Crisafulli, pay us fully” in a rebuke of the state government’s proposed wage deal.

“Our teachers and school leaders are tired, they’re frustrated, and they want everyone to hear their message,” said QTU President Cresta Richardson, addressing the crowds in Brisbane.

Thousands held signs reading, for example, “Value Queensland Teachers”, and waved union banners.

Many of them were flanked by their children.

‘Feel like we’ve been cheated’

At the heart of the dispute is the state government’s proposed pay rise of 8 per cent over three years, which the QTU rejected, calling it “out of step with inflation, workloads and respect for the profession”.

“We feel like we’ve been cheated,” teacher Lynda Mylrea told 7NEWS.

“This is not just about dollars,” said Richardson.

“It’s about dignity, safety, and fairness for every teacher and every student in Queensland.”

“I brought my daughter and son here today and my colleagues are here to make sure the govt focus on recruiting,” said another teacher, Hannah Bottero.

Teachers voiced urgent concerns about unsustainable workloads, rising burnout, and increasing violence in classrooms, issues the union said are pushing experienced educators out of the profession in droves.

The Crisafulli government has defended its negotiation efforts, insisting it has met with the union 18 times in five months and remains committed to reaching a resolution.

But the show of force on Wednesday suggests teachers are prepared for a long fight.

“This isn’t just about today,” Richardson said. “If this government doesn’t listen, we’ll be back.”

Not all teachers agree

But behind the sea of placards, not all voices were aligned with the union.

“I don’t have an issue with the teachers who chose to strike. Many of them are great educators. My issue is with the QTU alone,” a veteran primary school teacher told 7NEWS.com.au under the condition of anonymity.

“The QTU are the problem they proclaim needs fixing.”

They claim the union protects incompetent and uncaring teachers and makes it nearly impossible for schools to remove them.

“It’s endless interviews, observations, and reports … followed by interviews, observations and reports — and principals risk being accused of bullying just for trying to manage poor staff,” they said.

According to this teacher, the extra workload falls on good teachers.

“This overburdens good teachers as they carry the extra load and it causes them to burn out and leave.

“Then comes the chain reaction. Kids struggle emotionally, behaviourally and academically due to that rubbish teacher, and the loss of the burnt-out good ones.

“The rubbish teacher gets shuffled to another school to repeat history, or popped in a cushy ‘less visible’ role.”

The teacher said they stopped paying union fees and instead use that money to directly support their students.

“I use the money I would have spent on fees to give kids the opportunities they deserve. I don’t give it to the union who lets them down.”

For now, the government and the union remain locked in negotiations.

Teachers said they were willing to strike again if the talks continue to go nowhere.