This week marks an important milestone in our campaign for better outcomes in Child Safety and Youth Justice.
After months of bargaining and continued advocacy from members across Queensland, Together members have officially commenced Stage 1 Protected Industrial Action following the expiry of the current enterprise agreement on 31 July.
This action sends a clear message to government and departmental decision-makers: workers cannot continue to deliver safe, quality services without meaningful action on the issues members have consistently raised.
ICYMI: Watch the Member Webinar
Members show their strength
Before launching protected action, members across the state participated in workplace actions and visibility activities, demonstrating the depth of concern about ongoing pressures in Child Safety and Youth Justice.
From metropolitan offices to regional and remote communities, members came together to discuss the challenges facing their workplaces and the solutions they believe are needed. Delegates and organisers reported strong engagement despite the significant workloads many members are carrying.
These actions are making an impact. Departments and government are paying attention to the growing momentum of the campaign.
Why we are taking action
Members have consistently told us that workplace pressures are becoming unsustainable. Throughout bargaining, Together has advanced claims focused on:
- Safer and more manageable workloads
- Improved staffing levels
- Better support for frontline services
- Increased cultural safety
- Pay outcomes that reflect the value of the work performed
- Long-term investment in Child Safety and Youth Justice services
These are not abstract bargaining claims. They are real issues affecting workers, children, young people and families every day. Members are seeking practical solutions to serious workplace challenges, not temporary fixes.
What Stage 1 Protected Action looks like
Members are encouraged to participate in a range of visibility actions, including:
- Updating email signatures with campaign messaging
- Activating campaign out-of-office messages
- Displaying campaign posters and materials
- Wearing campaign clothing and stickers
- Sharing campaign materials with colleagues and communities
The objective is to make visible the reality facing Child Safety and Youth Justice workers while maintaining service delivery to children, young people and families.
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Make the action visible
Display campaign posters prominently, use the campaign email signature and send photos of workplace participation to the union office. If management has questions about protected action, direct them to Together rather than trying to resolve technical questions yourself.
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The government's offer falls short
Late on Friday, your union received an initial bargaining offer from the Department. The steering committee is reviewing the offer, but the initial assessment is that it does not adequately address many of the key issues members have raised throughout bargaining.
Read the offer update here.
This is a marathon, not a sprint
Meaningful change rarely happens overnight. Visibility actions are the first stage of the campaign, and bargaining will require persistence, solidarity and participation across workplaces.
The strength of this campaign comes from members acting together across service centres, regions and roles. The stronger the participation, the stronger the message to decision-makers that members are united in seeking real solutions.
Standing together for children, young people and families.
This campaign is ultimately about ensuring Child Safety and Youth Justice workers have the resources, support and staffing necessary to provide the services Queensland children, young people and families deserve.
Every updated email signature, every campaign poster, every sticker worn and every workplace conversation contributes to the collective strength needed to secure meaningful outcomes.
