Talks underway on transfer of employment in Diocese of Lismore
Lismore Catholic Schools Office (CSO) representatives have met with the IEU to discuss the long-foreshadowed transition to a new corporate entity, the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Limited (DLCSL).
The Lismore Diocese covers a substantial area of NSW, from Laurieton on the mid-north coast to the Queensland border and west to Dorrigo in the Northern Tablelands. The changes will impact some 2300 union members working in 45 schools and the CSO’s Head Office.
The IEU has been aware of this pending restructure for the past 18 months – it has been a regular agenda item in meetings between the CSO and IEU Officers.
IEU Secretary Mark Northam and Deputy Secretary Carol Matthews met with DLCSL Chief Executive Officer Dr Sally Towns and HR Manager Kathy Lovell in Sydney on Monday 24 February to discuss the specific details of the new structure and seek assurance that all employee entitlements will be recognised by the new organisation.
All CSO employees will be transferred to the new body, with the current Enterprise Agreement to remain in place while negotiations occur on a new agreement.
Mark Northam noted that talks were amicable and the new Lismore executives were open to ongoing consultation with the Union.
The DLCSL executive will be travelling around the Lismore Diocese to consult with teachers and staff about the new governance model. The union encourages members to avail themselves of these meetings if possible (see details below). If any member has a specific concern not addressed so far, we encourage you to contact your organiser.
The meetings convened by the CSO are as follows:
- St Carthage Primary School (Hall), Lismore, Monday 2 March, 4.30pm
- MacKillop College (Theatre), Port Macquarie, Tuesday 3 March, 4.30pm
- St Patrick’s Primary School (Library), Macksville, Wednesday 4 March, 4.30pm
- St Joseph’s College (Library), Banora Point, Friday 6 March, 4.30pm
- Xavier Catholic College (Hall), Ballina, Monday 9 March, 4.30pm
- St John Paul College (Theatre), Coffs Harbour, Tuesday 10 March, 4.30pm
- For CSO staff: D’Arcy Meeting Room, Monday 9 March, 9.15am
Arrangements have also been made for members to join meetings by Zoom. (https://zoom.us/signup)