AIS stalls on salaries while some schools step up
This story is from the latest edition of the IEU newspaper, Newsmonth, available to read in full online NOW.
The Association of Independent Schools (AIS) has indicated it is uncertain about pay increases for this year. Further, the union understands the AIS doesn’t intend to visit schools until March/April to determine pay rates for 2021.
April is too far away to achieve what teachers, support staff, principals and business managers and budgets require – certainty and predictability. The AIS not knowing takes us nowhere.
How did we get to this position?
The AIS commenced bargaining for a new multi-enterprise agreement (MEA) in late 2019. Following a six month pause in the bargaining, the AIS finally agreed to recommence negotiations with the union. Meetings were held between the union and the AIS on 5 November, 24 November and 17 December 2020. Further meetings are scheduled for 15 February, 15 March and 29 March. A central position on salaries for 2021 has not been determined by the AIS. IEU members have had to approach schools directly to find out about intended pay rises.
What’s next?
The union accepts that the student census in week three of February will provide firm student numbers upon which federal government funding is based. School budgets stem from the census figures. It is critical that union members in schools where offers of less than 2% have been made, meet as a chapter and seek pay parity. Union organisers are available to assist in convening meetings and moving endorsed motions forward.
The vast majority of independent schools were lavish in their praise of how their staff managed and responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. And rightly so. The missing dimension is pay outcomes in line with Catholic, Christian and government schools.
Schools paying 2% or more
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Abbotsleigh Senior School |
Al Zahra College |
All Saints Grammar Secondary |
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The Anglican School, Googong |
The Armidale School |
Arndell Anglican College |
|
Ascham School |
Aurora Steiner School |
Barker Senior College |
|
Biala Special School |
Bowen College, Youth off the Streets (YOTS) |
Burgmann Anglican School |
|
Byron Community Primary School |
Canberra Girls’ Grammar, Junior Campus |
Canberra Girls’ Grammar, Senior Campus |
|
Canberra Grammar School |
Central Coast Grammar School |
Claremont College |
|
Craig Davis College (YOTS) |
Danebank School |
Eden College (Koch Centre for YOTS) |
|
Elouera Special School |
Emanuel School |
Hunter Valley Grammar School |
|
Inaburra School |
Inner Sydney Montessori School |
Kambala Girls School |
|
Karuna Montessori Preschool |
Key College, Chapel Campus, (YOTS) |
Kincoppal-Rose Bay School of the Sacred Heart |
|
Kinross Wolaroi School |
Knox Grammar School |
The Lakes College Blue Haven (YOTS) |
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Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar Primary |
Loreto Kirribilli |
Macarthur Anglican School |
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Macquarie Anglican Grammar |
Malek Fahd Islamic School |
Mamre Anglican School |
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Meriden School |
Monte Sant’Angelo Mercy College |
Montgrove College |
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Mount Annan Christian College |
Newcastle Grammar School |
Newington College |
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Northside Montessori Preschool |
Nowra Anglican College |
Oran Park Anglican College |
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Orange Anglican Grammar School |
Pacific Coast Christian School |
Pacific Hope School |
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Pacific Valley Christian School |
Penrith Anglican College |
Pittwater House Grammar School |
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Presbyterian Ladies College, Croydon & Armidale |
Pymble Ladies’ College |
Queenwood School |
|
Radford College |
Ravenswood School for Girls |
Reddam House, Senior School |
|
Redfield College for Boys |
Richard Johnson Anglican School |
Roseville College |
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Rouse Hill Anglican College |
Sathya Sai Primary School and College |
SCEGGS Senior and Junior School Redlands |
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SCEGGS Darlinghurst |
Scots All Saints Bathurst |
Shellharbour Anglican College |
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Sherwood Hills Christian School |
Snowy Mountains Grammar School |
St Andrew’s Cathedral School |
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St Catherine’s School |
St Euphemia College |
St Luke’s Grammar School |
|
St Mark’s Coptic Orthodox College |
St Mary and St Mina Coptic Orthodox |
St Mary and St Mina Coptic Christian |
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St Paul’s College |
St Peter’s Anglican College |
St Stanislaus College |
|
Sydney Montessori School |
Tangara School for Girls |
Thomas Hassall Anglican School |
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Valley Hope School Townsend |
William Clarke College |
Wollemi College |
|
Wollondilly Anglican College |
Woodbury Autism Education and Research |
To this end, IEU members in AIS schools have had a lot of contact with their organisers. Member concern at being ‘left behind’ is valid.
Teachers in NSW Catholic systemic schools and government schools have been in receipt of a 2.28% increase since the first full pay period in January. Schools represented by Christian Schools Australia and Christian Education National (46 schools) are paying teachers 2.3% in February 2021, 2.3% in February 2022 and 2.5% in February 2023. The Independent Christian Schools NSW Teachers Multi-Enterprise Agreement will pay teachers 2.25% in February 2021, 2.25% in February 2022 and 2.25% in February 2023.
Members’ action at school level has resulted in more than 90 schools indicating (in writing) they will pay 2% or better from 1 February 2021.
The vast majority of independent schools were lavish in their praise of how their staff managed and responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. And rightly so. The missing dimension is pay outcomes in line with Catholic, Christian and government schools.
Research undertaken by Associate Professor Rebecca Collie at UNSW based on 325 teachers’ responses found that “the COVID-19 pandemic placed teachers in a situation likely to increase the challenges they already faced, potentially heightening the risk of negative personal outcomes, such as illness and exhaustion.”
Associate Professor Collie went on to explain that “school leaders and senior teaching staff can promote teachers’ initiative and empowerment by encouraging their participation in decisions and making general efforts to support them in their work.” A key ingredient of ‘support’ for teachers is ensuring that pay increases are commensurate with other sectors.
Some 90 schools have stepped up and backed their teachers and support staff by providing pay increases from 1 February 2021 of 2% or more in one or two instalments. The MEAs expire on 31 January 2021 but remain in force until agreement is reached for a new MEA. The union will provide regular updates to members.
The IEU website has a ‘map’ of pay outcomes for independent schools. Please check the schools in your area. IEU organisers can provide details of the funding your school receives from the Federal Government.