Hear Our Voice campaign: A critical moment
We have reached a critical stage in this campaign. Here’s the latest.
Negotiations continue despite slow progress
Since 15 June 2022, Catholic employers have failed to meet with the IEU to negotiate new enterprise agreements for Catholic systemic teachers and support staff. On 29 July, the IEU wrote to Catholic Employment Relations (CER) concerning the lack of progress in the current negotiations. On 4 August, we also wrote directly to the Diocesan Directors about the delay.
The IEU has also called on all Directors to urge the NSW Government not to proceed with the scheduled award hearing in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) on 12 October which could lock in pay rises of just 2.53% for government school teachers for three years and thus also for the Catholic systemic sector.
Why is October 12 so critical?
On 12 October, the NSW Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) will arbitrate on government school teacher salaries.
The IRC has no choice but to apply the NSW Government’s wages policy, and this will lock government school teachers into pay rises of just 2.53% for three years.
How does the IRC outcome on 12 October impact IEU members?
Catholic employers have long hidden behind the NSW Government’s wages policy, applying it to Catholic systemic teachers and support staff. They are watching and waiting for the Industrial Relations Commission’s determination on 12 October.
Catholic employers are passing the buck to the NSW Government rather than negotiating with teachers and support staff through your union.
IEU NSW/ACT and NSW Teachers Federation: Joint letter to NSW Premier
The IEU and the NSW Teachers Federation have written a joint letter calling on the NSW Premier to withdraw the award application before the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) on 12 October and negotiate fairly.
The NSW salary cap is thwarting teachers in NSW government schools but also teachers and support staff in Catholic systemic schools.
“We urge employers to stop hiding and come to the negotiating table. We’re staying strong and standing shoulder-to-shoulder. A critical moment: 12 October.” Mark Northam, IEUA NSW/ACT Branch Secretary
What is happening in other states?
Other state governments have offered their teachers and other public servants higher increases.
For example, the Queensland Government has offered teachers salary increases of 4%, 4% and 3%, in addition to increases in superannuation. As well, at the end of each year, an additional lump sum payment will be paid if the inflation figure exceeds the percentage increase in that year. This cost of living top-up is payable (to a maximum lump sum of 3% of salary) based on the difference between the increase in the CPI for Brisbane in the March quarter (calculated over a year) and the percentage pay increase for that year.
Teachers in Queensland also enjoy good conditions: for example, teacher release time in primary schools is 2.5 hours per week and superannuation is well in excess of super paid to NSW teachers. This could form the basis of a model for NSW.
Fighting for a fair deal for support staff
As part of the Hear Our Voice campaign, the IEU is continuing to put pressure on all Catholic diocesan directors to secure a better deal for all support staff in Catholic systemic schools. The IEU is seeking pay parity for support staff with their counterparts in government schools. Catholic employers have the power to resolve the support staff salary claim immediately.
Strength in numbers: Our voice grows louder
On 19 September, the IEU welcomed 18 more schools across 7 dioceses to the campaign. Members in these schools voted in significant numbers in support of both protected action questions. There are now 591 out of 596 Catholic Systemic Schools on board – more than 99%. Never in the IEU’s history have so many Chapters been involved in an industrial campaign. Our voice calling for a fair deal for teachers and support staff grows ever stronger.
Addressing teacher shortages
In August, the IEU mobile billboard truck took our message to the streets of NSW, engaging members and attracting media attention.
The IEU has also been highlighting teacher shortages at both the state and federal level with Secretary Mark Northam appearing before the NSW Legislative Council’s inquiry into teacher shortages in early August.
The IEU has been engaging with Members of Parliament across NSW and the ACT through letter writing and personal visits, emphasising how serious the teacher shortage is and calling on them to support urgent action in Parliament.
- Read our update in Newsmonth and view all the images from the Teacher Shortages Billboard Truck tour
- Read more about IEU delegations to visit MPs
- You can still take action! Write to NSW MPs today!
Stay updated: More information coming soon
The campaign continues and we are not taking our foot off the accelerator. We will be providing regular updates as developments unfold. Read your IEU emails and check for new posts on social media and our website.
SHARE AND DOWNLOAD SOCIAL MEDIA TILES
- Share on Facebook
- Share Twitter thread
- Share on Linkedin