This week is Queensland Women’s Week, and today is International Women’s Day! This International Women’s Day, I wanted to say a massive congratulations to all Together members who are working for safety and equality today and everyday. Last year, we saw huge movements of women and allies standing up against discrimination, inequity and gendered violence. Thousands of women took to the streets across Queensland, raising their voices and declaring ‘enough is enough’. Women from the union movement were some of the leaders of this national discussion – because if there’s one thing we know as union members, it’s that we have to stand up for what’s right. In 2022, we are still fighting for safety, respect and equality – at home, in our communities, and at work. Sign the petition for respect at work. Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected in their workplace. Sexual harassment and sexism is a serious workplace health and safety issue that impacts everyone. There is more work to do – and now is the time to push for safer workplaces. The Queensland Government hasn’t moved fast enough to change the laws that keep workers safe. Enough is enough. The government needs to step up to be a leader and part of the solution. Together members are calling for the Queensland Government to implement critical sexual harassment reforms in the Industrial Relations Act, the Anti-discrimination Act and the Work Health and Safety Act. Sign the petition. Union members have a history of standing up and winning for women’s rights at work and in our community. Women make an invaluable contribution to our workplaces, our homes and our communities. Together, we can make sure Queensland women get the respect they deserve at work and change our workplaces for the better. Finally - As part of Queensland Women’s Week, Together members are also invited to a virtual Queensland Council of Unions panel discussion on gendered violence and sexual harassment on Thursday 10th March, 12pm-1pm. You can register for this online panel here.
Last week, after the Sunday announcement by the Premier of the Back to School plan, your union lodged a dispute in the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission, with the United Workers Union (UWU) about the lack of consultation around the Plan. As this is a significant issue of safety at work, there should be a risk assessment undertaken to mitigate risks as much as is practicable. On Friday, the Department advised that this had not occurred regarding the Back to School plan. It is very disappointing that the legislative requirement to undertake a risk assessment in these circumstances was not done prior to the Plan's announcement last Sunday. Following the dispute Together and UWU lodged in the Commission, the Department is now conducting a risk assessment with unions. There is now an opportunity to ensure concerns are raised, documented and control measures put in place. You can read the recommendations made by Commissioner Knight in our dispute here. Every school is different, which means the risks, and control measures, will be different as well. Local WHS Representatives and workers should be consulted regarding matters that affect your safety and wellbeing at work. You can read more about risk assessments here. Some risks that members have raised are: use of sick bays or other facilities to isolate symptomatic students (including PPE requirements for staff monitoring these students); ventilation or social distancing in school offices; prep rooms being used as thoroughfares, and others. Members can also lodge a form here if you are concerned with how local WHS consultation and risk assessments have occurred – or not occurred at all – at your school, and you have outstanding concerns. The news coming out of NSW and Victoria indicates that thousands of cases have been caught through those states' surveillance testing regime. Catching cases before students and staff spend time in schools is critical to stopping the spread. Currently, the Department does not have access to the number of RATs that would be required for twice-weekly surveillance testing. Supply of RATs is an issue across the board and Together recognizes this reality. However, in the coming weeks supply will increase and we are seeking that the Department’s policy reflects this and increases access of employer-supplied RATs to staff in circumstances other than just when they are symptomatic at work, at which point COVID may have already spread to co-workers and other members of the school community. The recommendation from Commissioner Knight was that the Department take all reasonable steps to clarify and consider the proposed framework dealing with the provision of rapid antigen tests in schools advanced by Together and UWU. There will be further discussions with the Department this week. Together members are also invited to a Zoom briefing on Tuesday 15 February at 10:30am. Register for the briefing here. Sign the Together petition for increased access to employer-provided RATs here. You can also find out more about the Safer Together campaign here.
