NewsExtra: Special Briefing - Model B and C Catholic independent schools
Special Briefing – Model B and C schools Negotiations for MEAs
The IEU is currently negotiating with Catholic Employment Relations (CER) for new multi-enterprise agreements (MEAs) for teachers and support staff employed in Model B and C Catholic independent schools.
Model B schools are EREA schools and Chevalier College, Oakhill College, Rosebank College, St Augustine’s College, St Mary Star of the Sea College Wollongong, St Stanislaus’ College Bathurst (support staff only), St Patrick’s College Campbelltown and St Gregory’s College Campbelltown.
Model C schools are Holy Saviour School, Maronite College of the Holy Family, Red Bend Catholic College, St Charbel’s College, St Lucy’s School, St Maroun’s College, St Paul’s International College, The John Berne School and Trinity Catholic College Lismore.
After the current MEAs expired at the end of 2021, bargaining commenced in 2022 and continued this year, with the IEU pressing claims for pay increases; improvements in paid parental leave; measures to address teacher shortages and to reduce teacher workloads; improvements to the support staff pay and classification structure; improvements for maintenance and outdoor staff rates of pay to reflect the higher rates payable in systemic schools; and improvements to Long Service Leave entitlements for non-teaching staff.
Employer offer unacceptable
Finally, on 14 June we received an offer from the employers for new MEAs to be in place till the end of 2025. The offer included the following:
• a one-off payment of $750 in 2023, in addition to the pay increase of 2.78% already paid
• a pay increase of 3% in 2024
• a pay increase of 3% in 2025.
This pay offer is well below our claim and below the anticipated public sector increases for 2023 and beyond. In the case of Model C schools, this will almost certainly result in teacher rates of pay below those applying in government and systemic schools in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Rejection of our claims on behalf of support staff is also extremely disappointing.
Further, no attempt has been made to address workload concerns. The employers have also rejected most of our other claims. This offer is totally unacceptable.
Chapter action
The IEU will send further details about the bargaining early in Term 3 and set out actions Chapters can take to achieve a fairer outcome. Please speak to colleagues (both teachers and support staff) who have not yet joined the IEU. Strength in membership is crucial. Join here.
Authorised by Carol Matthews, Acting Secretary, Independent Education Union of Australia NSW/ACT Branch The Briscoe Building 485 – 501 Wattle St Ultimo NSW 2007
P 02 8202 8900 | E ieu@ieu.asn.au | www.ieu.asn.au
