The Queensland Teachers’ Union says it will press ahead with strike action over a long-running pay dispute with the state government but is yet to lock in a date.

Union president Cresta Richardson said after-school rallies would be held across the state next Thursday, instead of 24-hour strike action. 

“We have considered what the best way forward is for our members and students in our schools,” she said.a small group in a crowd holding signs

Teachers held strikes around the state in August. (ABC News: Nathan Morris)

“We will know the date when we will strike when our executive will determine that.

Queensland teachers strike for first time in 16 years

Today’s strike action was expected to affect more than half a million students at about 1,200 state schools.

“We have six weeks before the end of the school year … so it will be in that time.

“Rallies will be held after school so exams will go ahead as normal. We know that it’s a really tense time for kids.

“The government has chosen this, this is the premier’s path at this point in time. The premier can intervene at any time.”

The move follows a stern letter from Education Director-General Sharon Schimming, who warned strikes during senior exams would “bring the profession into disrepute”.

Members voted against a proposed pay rise that would see teachers earn more than $100,000 a year by the end of 2028.

A majority — 67 per cent — of the union’s 50,000 members voted down the state government offer end of October. 

It included a three-year 8 per cent pay rise and meant every state school teacher would earn more than $100,000 a year by the end of 2028.

It also promised a new safety taskforce to deal with violence in classrooms.

But the union stopped short of recommending the deal, opening the vote to its members.