Strike hard on parents

Zane Jackson | 2nd July 2009

FOR working Ipswich mother-of-two Kelly McGuigan, next month's teachers strike is shaping up to be a real "pain in the backside".

Working mum Kelly McGuigan says the next teacher's strike is shaping up to be a pain, with her having to find childcare for her three children.

Sarah Keayes

FOR working Ipswich mother-of-two Kelly McGuigan, next month's teachers strike is shaping up to be a real “pain in the backside”.

Mrs McGuigan said asking her family to care for daughter Kiralea, 8, and son Jacob, 6, is the only option she had when state school teachers strike on August 5.

“I'm going to have to rely on other family to look after the kids for me, because other daycares won't look after them because of the strike,” Mrs McGuigan said.

“To me it's an absolute pain in the backside.

“I understand their cause, but it's affecting the kids.

“I think people would be more sympathetic if they took action that didn't affect the kids.”

Mrs McGuigan, whose children attend Silkstone State School, said she hoped an agreement between the Queensland Teachers Union and the State government would be struck before August 5.

Fellow Ipswich mother Trish Allan - whose four children Dana, 12, Shania, 10, Jessie, 10, and Johnny, 9, all attended Bundamba State School - said while the strike would be a nuisance, she sympathised with the teacher's plight.

“I understand why they are doing it, it's just a bit of an inconvenience,” Mrs Allan said.

“If other states get more money, then why shouldn't they?”

Angel Caplin said her five-year-old daughter and East Ipswich State School prep student, Hayley, would be forced to spend the day at home.

“She loves it there, and would go there seven days a week if she could, so she might be disappointed,” Mrs Caplin said.

“I think they (teachers) are entitled to more money, they don't get half as much as they deserve.”

Hundreds of teachers yesterday rallied outside Premier Anna Bligh's office in Brisbane demanding a larger pay package for their efforts.

Queensland Treasurer Andrew Fraser said on Wednesday the strikers had the right to make their case but there was no more money to meet the union's demand.

“There are presently some 120,000 Queenslanders who would like to have any pay packet, let alone a pay packet that was being proposed for a 12 per cent increase over the next three years,” Mr Fraser said.