Union in plea for sacked teacher

CALOUNDRA Christian College has been urged to show "Christian compassion" and withdraw its termination notice of pregnant kindergarten teacher Jessica Davidson.

The call came from the Independent Education Union of Australia Queensland branch, which is considering legal action on behalf of Ms Davidson.

Ms Davidson was given notice in mid-April that her employment would be terminated in June on the basis of a "lifestyle breach" in that she was pregnant and unmarried.

Union branch secretary Terry Burke said the school was "carefully and deliberately relying on the exemption provision in the Anti-Discrimination Act".

If taken to the courts, this could become a test case for the provisions in the Act.

Mr Burke said the union had written to the school and was hoping compassion would be shown.

He said Ms Davidson "wants to stay at the school - she likes the school".

Mr Burke said if she lost her job it would be hard to find a new one as her baby is due in September.

"It will also deny her legitimate paid maternity leave," he said.

The Daily's website was choked with more than 200 comments yesterday, mostly from people angry at the school's stance.

An online poll was more evenly divided. Nearly 40% said that people employed at religious schools should adhere to "lifestyle rules".

Suncoast Christian Outreach Centre pastor Chas Gullo said any organisation should be entitled to uphold its values.

"If someone agrees to uphold the values of a company and then violates them, what other values will they contravene?" he said

"I'm supportive of any company - whether it is government, school or an organisation - setting values which it upholds."

School principal Mark Hodges said Ms Davidson's sacking was not related to the pregnancy but "rather a breach in the lifestyle clause".

Mr Burke said Ms Davidson could not be dismissed because she was pregnant as this "would be a breach of the law".

"Rather, the school is asserting she is in breach of a lifestyle undertaking and its actions are allowed under the exemption provisions in the Act," he said.