Bargaining is about to start for new multi-enterprise agreements (MEAs) in 30 Model B and Model C Catholic independent schools.
Current agreements for both teachers and support staff are due to expire at the end of 2026.
By now, schools should have advised members of the commencement of bargaining. If your school hasn’t yet notified you, contact your IEU organiser.
In coming weeks, IEU organisers will be visiting schools to consult members before the union claim is finalised.
We urge each chapter to meet and discuss issues that are important to you, such as pay rises, workload, classifications, leave entitlements, consultation, job security or other matters.
Key claims
The union’s proposed key claims are:
Pay rises
The IEU is proposing annual pay increases of 4.5%, 4% and 4% to address cost-of-living pressures, including any applicable backpay and increases to allowances.
Paid parental leave
The IEU is proposing improved paid parental leave, including paid parental leave for the non-initial primary carer in line with industry standards.
Under the current MEAs, paid parental leave for the initial primary carer is 14 weeks, but the other parent (or non-initial primary carer) is only entitled to two weeks at the time of birth or adoption.
Under agreements applying to other NSW independent schools, the non-initial primary carer is entitled to take two weeks at the time of birth or adoption. They are also entitled to take 12 weeks paid parental leave if they become the primary carer within 24 months of the date of birth or adoption.
In NSW government schools, both parents can take paid parental leave concurrently of up to 14 weeks each. The non-initial primary carer can take this leave up to 24 months from the date of birth or adoption.
Model B and Model C schools need to improve parental leave.
The union is also seeking payment of superannuation on paid parental leave.
Workloads
The IEU is proposing improved workload transparency for teachers, with clear guidelines at each school for face-to-face teaching hours, extras, release from face-to-face in primary schools, meetings and support for early career teachers.
In NSW government schools and Catholic systemic schools there is a limit of 10 hours of staff meetings per week.
The union is not suggesting all schools should have the same guidelines. However, guidelines should be developed for each school and communicated to all teachers.
Other priorities
Other elements in our claim include:
- one day of paid special leave for family and other commitments
- easier evidence requirements for personal/carer’s leave
- improved personal/carer’s leave and long service leave for support staff
- more flexible access to short blocks of long service leave
- emergency natural disaster leave, as a separate entitlement – rather than deducted from personal/carer’s leave
- enterprise agreement coverage of psychologists, counsellors and youth workers
- appropriate staffing ratios in special assistance schools.
Collective Strength
The strength of the union’s bargaining position depends on the strength of each chapter.
The more staff who are IEU members, the stronger the collective voice both at your school and across all Model B and Model C schools.
Please talk to your non-member colleagues and encourage them to join the IEU.
Next Steps
Union organisers are visiting schools to discuss the proposed claim with members.
Once the IEU formulates a claim based on this consultation with members, we will present this to Model B and Model C employers.
We will keep members updated throughout this process.
