“All we want for Christmas … ”

… is due recognition of staff commitment through better salary and workload offers.

The IEU attended an Enterprise Bargaining (EB) meeting on Tuesday 2 December at which the parties audited the progress made (as discussed below).

Reflecting on bargaining so far in Catholic EB24, whilst we didn’t get a “bright light to guide us through the darkness”, we do have a plan to move the bargaining forward and in a positive direction.

But there are challenges

We have heard you that Salary and Teacher Workload are the two most important issues of this bargaining.

Whilst it appears there is no easy pathway to resolution, your union has taken the pro-active step of initiating a meeting on Tuesday 23 December with Catholic Education South Australia (CESA); presenting a final chance to resolve a suitable pathway on salary or workload or seek further assistance from the FairWork Commission.

We are talking and will update you further in the new year

We have a list of topics to discuss at our December meeting. Our intention is to further narrow the list of outstanding matters and edge that little bit closer to an enterprise agreement.

The employer’s proposal to change the ‘span of hours’ is of real concern to ESO members, and we have received strong feedback telling us the impact of this change.

We have informed the employer that we cannot agree to this measure.

We are winning for you and have made some progress in a number of areas.

Summary of the Bargaining Progress

Key Union Wins :

TRTs

To be paid at applicable teacher classification for TRT work of less than 5-day duration.

Superannuation

To be paid fortnightly from the commencement of the 2026 school year.

Personal Care Allowance

Increased to $1000. Noting that it will not be indexed.

Paid Parental Leave

Increased to 16 weeks.

Right To Disconnect

New clause to be included in the agreement

Early Career Teachers

0.1FTE reduction in early career teacher’s student contact time for the first 12 months

Removal of Junior Rates

This classification provision that underpays young people is removed

Removal of ESO Grade 1A

Delegates rights clause

Foster Carer Leave

• 8 weeks for long placement(s) of a children who are less than 5 years and 4 weeks for long placement(s) for children who are over 5 .
• Up to 5 days for emergency care per year

Matters still in discussion

CEA Payments for teachers

Leave entitlements

• Breast feeding and Lactation Breaks
• Reproductive Health Leave
• First Nations Ceremonial Leave

Youth Worker Classification

Class Sizes

• Benchmarking for Reception to Year 3
• Practical Classes

POR and Halt

WHS

• Mental First Aid Officers
• Fatigue Management
• Measures to prevent and respond to Technology Facilitated Sexual Violence

Country Incentives and Relocation Support

Preschool Matters

• Preschool definition of children contact time
• Tea breaks
• Director Administration Workload

Family and Domestic Violence

Matters in Dispute

Length of the Agreement

Salary

IEU position: 6% increase 1 May 2025, 6% increase 1 May 2026, 6% increase 1 May 2027,

Employer position: 3% increase 1 May 2025, 3% increase 1 May 2026, further increases in 2027 (and in 2028 if it’s a four-year agreement) to match Department outcomes only.

Teacher Workload

• IEU position: A reduction of maximum weekly student contact time of 60 minutes implemented in 2026 averaged over the week.
• Employer position: A reduction of 60 mins to be implemented in 2027 however, timetabled time is not reduced by the allocation of time to undertake School Directed Non-Contact Time
• IEU Position: Non-Instruction time to be taken in blocks of not less than 40 minutes and averaged over a fortnight
• Employer position: Non-Instruction time to be taken in blocks of not less than 30 minutes where possible and averaged over the year.

Span of Hours for ESOs

Some Employer Technical Matters

Employers Changes to Secure Work

Members have the power to drive change

We want to thank the Catholic EB24 bargaining team for their hard work so far. Members can boost their workplace voice by inviting potential members at their school to join the IEU and collectively push for the changes you want.

When the EA eventually goes to vote, you and your colleagues have the power to VOTE NO and force your employer back to the negotiation table.

We leave you with this parting thought by one of the bargaining team:

A Union Catholic Bargaining Tale

And as bargaining paused for a moment’s respite,
The IEU team stood tall in the soft Christmas light.
With members behind them, united and strong,
They knew this long journey would not steer them wrong.

So Merry Bargaining to all, and to all a good fight,
For the strength of our members shines through when we unite!