Our union, along with our colleague education unions nationally, stands in solidarity with students who are taking part in the upcoming School Strike 4 Climate on Friday, 21 May 2021.
IEU-QNT Secretary Terry Burke commended students participating in the movement and embracing solidarity to campaign for a sustainable future.
“Students have the right to rally around issues that will severely impact their future and the future of generations to come,” Mr Burke said.
“Our students are showing courage by standing up to Australia’s government and business leaders, demanding they step up to take urgent actions to mitigate climate change.
“We encourage our school communities to support their collective action where it is safe, appropriate and clearly practical to do so,” he said.
IEU, AEU and NTEU statement
The federal branch of the IEU has joined with our public and tertiary sector counterparts to endorse the climate strike action being taken on May 21.
In a joint statement, the Australian Education Union (AEU) and the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) along with our federal union indicated support for the striking students.
We stand in solidarity with our students as they participate in the School Strike 4 Climate. We support and admire their courage and dedication, and we share their deep concerns.
Australia’s lack of meaningful action on climate change is a lost opportunity and has become an international embarrassment. Worse, it is a reckless and irresponsible betrayal of future generations.
Our three unions represent nearly 300,000 education workers across Australia who care deeply about the future of their students and the state of the society, the environment and the economy we leave to them.
We are proud to stand beside our students as they fight for a safe and fair future for all of us. We call on the Australian government to heed their urgent message and to take real action to combat climate change.
History of SS4C
The School Strike 4 Climate Australia movement began in October 2018 when three school students from Castlemaine, in Victoria, were inspired by Greta Thunberg’s weekly strikes outside Parliament in Sweden.
Since then, it has grown into one of the biggest movements in Australian history, made up of students and adults who are united by our concern for the future of Earth.
Our union has supported past School Strike 4 Climate actions and our members continue to share the deep concerns students have about the health of the planet and their anger at the inaction of policy makers.
Australia’s current federal government deserves particular censure for failing to take meaningful action to address the climate emergency.
Strike events will be held in each capital cities and other regional locations, with the Brisbane strike occurring at King George Square and Darwin strike being held at Parliament House, Darwin.
To find out more information about School Strike 4 Climate movement, get involved in upcoming events and read details about the May 21 strikes, visit their website.
