The Fair Work Commission has handed down recommendations in the IEU’s long-running supported bargaining application.
The Commission has said the NSW government should do everything it can, including increasing funding, to give effect to gender-based undervaluation pay rises due under the Children’s Services Award and to enable the making of a supported bargaining enterprise agreement.
The Commission noted that
“Given the significant difference between rates of pay for NSW preschool employees (which are largely award dependent) on the one hand, and the pay rates of teachers in schools, NSW Government preschools, and of employees in many long day care centres on the other, it is difficult to see how NSW preschools can continue to attract and retain the skilled and qualified employees necessary to run their services and programs.”
The Recommendation reads:
I am satisfied that in providing the majority of funding required by NSW preschools to operate, the NSW Government exercises such a degree of control over the terms and conditions of the employees who will be covered by the Proposed Agreement that the participation of the NSW Government in bargaining is necessary for the Proposed Agreement to be made. I am also satisfied that making the Proposed Agreement would improve the rates of pay of a female dominated workforce, which would be consistent with that part of the object of the FW Act in s.3(a) concerned with the promotion of gender equality.
- That the NSW Government take all necessary action, including reviewing and increasing funding to NSW preschools to:
- give effect to the Gender-based undervaluation case with respect to the CS Award; and
- ensure that the Proposed Agreement can be made; and
- That the bargaining representatives make the Proposed Agreement subject to the NSW Government agreeing to implement this Recommendation.
This recommendation from the industrial umpire places further pressure on the NSW Government to fund NSW preschools fairly.
