Child detainees in Queensland allegedly locked down for entire weekend

Lockdowns have been imposed at two Queensland youth detention facilities, including the West Moreton and Brisbane Youth Detention Centre. (ABC News: Scott Kyle)

Staff at youth detention centres across North Queensland and the south-east have taken part in a strike prompted by safety and health concerns.

The action comes after children at two facilities in south-east Queensland were allegedly locked down for an entire weekend due to staff shortages.

Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber said the department was in negotiations with the Australian Workers' Union.

Children incarcerated at two south-east Queensland youth detention facilities were allegedly locked down for an entire weekend due to staff shortages that have prompted dozens of workers across the state to walk off the job.

Brisbane, Cleveland and West Moreton Youth Detention Centres, and the Wacol Youth Remand Centre, have been subject to ongoing staffing issues, resulting in lockdowns and strict conditions being imposed on youth inside.

Data seen by the ABC shows three of four south-east Queensland facilities have detainee numbers above "safe capacity" levels.

Dozens of AWU members were seen congregating outside the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre building. (Background Briefing: Baz Ruddick)

On Thursday employees at detention centres across North Queensland and the south-east took part in a strike, citing safety and health concerns.

Demonstrations began at about 9am and continued for most of the day.

The action comes after hundreds of assaults on detention centre employees over the last year, as well as continued complaints about overcrowding and understaffing.

Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber said all youth detention centres remained "staffed and secure" on Thursday.

Laura Gerber says the department has been negotiating "in good faith". (ABC News: Lucas Hill)

"Unions employing tactics like this ahead of EBA negotiations isn't a new concept," Ms Gerber said.

"The department has been negotiating in good faith and my message to the AWU is to continue having these discussions."

In Townsville dozens of members of the Australian Workers' Union (AWU) were seen congregating outside the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre building.

Staff at centres in the south-east returned to work on Thursday afternoon after negotiations between the union and the Youth Justice Department.

Youth Advocacy Centre chief executive Katherine Hayes said similar issues had led to lockdowns in the months in the lead-up to Thursday's strikes.

She said she was in the process of filing a human rights complaint on