Latest news

Bargaining teams—including members, IEU Organisers and Industrial Officers—have been actively negotiating new Enterprise Agreements (EAs).

It is important for IEU members to be interested in bargaining at their school and other schools as it demonstrates how collective action from members and the IEU Team can negotiate for better outcomes at your school.

Portside Christian College

The IEU Sub-Branch tabled their claims and, not surprisingly, the majority of the claims tabled have either been outright rejected by the employer or significantly watered down.

Although the previous EA, and the 2017 EA, had a clause to the effect that the Consultative Committee would discuss Teacher Workload matters, this never really provided any relief or satisfaction to the Teachers. The employer wishes to give this another try for a further 3 years. If you can’t get it right in 8 years, you would start to doubt the process. The IEU Bargaining team are sticking to the proposal of including aspects of Teacher Workload into the EA.

Torrens Valley Christian School

An initial meeting was had and a Log of Claims was tabled. At the next EA meeting we are expecting a comprehensive reply from the employer.

Seymour College

The Notice of Employee Representation Rights (NERR) has been issued and a new IEU Rep at the college has been elected. The Sub-Branch is now working on claim development. The next meeting will be advised to members once a date is determined. The current EA expires in December 2024.

Mount Barker Waldorf School

Union Members Celebrate New Enterprise Agreement

In a significant victory for union members at MBWS, a new enterprise agreement has been successfully voted in, bringing improvements and benefits to staff.

This agreement is one more step in the IEU’s ongoing efforts to enhance working conditions and rights for all members.

Key Highlights of the New Agreement:

• Salary Increases: Members will enjoy progressive salary increases of 3%, 4%, and 5% over the next three years.
• Paid Parental Leave: Paid Parental Leave has been extended to 16 weeks, providing better support for new parents.
• Long Service Leave: Members can now take Long Service Leave in week-long blocks, offering greater flexibility.
• New Workplace Delegates Clause: The introduction of a new clause to support workplace delegates (Reps).
• Right to Disconnect: Ensuring members have the right to disconnect from work communications outside of working hours.
• Increased Pay for TRTs: Temporary Relief Teachers (TRTs) will see an increase in their pay.
• Improved Camp Allowances and TOIL Arrangements: Better camp allowances and Time Off In Lieu (TOIL) arrangements.
• Grace Days for Non-Teaching Staff: Non-teaching staff will receive paid grace days during the Christmas period.

Congratulations to all IEU members at Mount Barker Waldorf School .

A special mention to union representatives Daryl Jinnette and Stephen Randall for their hard work and dedication in advocating for members at their school. Without their efforts we would not have been able to achieve these wins and their commitment has truly paid off.

Let’s continue to organise together to build a fairer and more supportive workplace for everyone!

Southern Vales Christian School

We had our first bargaining meeting seeking the creation of a modern EA which protects current conditions and salaries.

Southern Values has not had a new EA since 2005.

Prince Alfred College

The IEU bargaining team has enter discussions about workload. Members are seeking a reduction in face-to-face teaching in 2025, new initiatives allowances, mandated Student Success Plan (SSP) supports, 0.2FTE release for graduate teachers, a cap on the number of afterhours events per year, camp regulation, implementation of the right to disconnect. Among other workload claims. PAC is yet to provide comment or response on the claims so far.

Hills Community Christian School

• The IEU bargaining team has discussed workload solutions:
  Definitions of Non-Instructional Time (NIT) in order to clarify what can and can’t be directed during NIT.
• Additional supports for teachers with Tier 3 students.
• Use of team planning during student free days at the beginning of the year.
• Modified planning time and SSO workload claims are to be discussed in the next meeting.

Pilgrim School

Pilgrim School sent out the NERR. The IEU met with members and staff for initial discussions on the members’ claim. Further discussions to continue.

Trinity College

Discussions are still continuing as we work toward a document with agreed changes.  Members will provide feedback on proposed changes once tabled.

Temple Christian College: Bargaining To Start Again

The enterprise bargaining process at Temple Christian College is set to restart due to irregularities. The initial process was marred by errors in the Notification of Employee Representative Rights, and the employer’s delayed response to concerns raised by employees. This fresh start aims to address these issues and ensure a fair and transparent bargaining process for all parties involved.

Pulteney Grammar School

Pulteney Grammar School is due to commence negotiations by end of October 2024.

In preparation, the IEU have conducted a claim development survey with our members at Pulteney and will hold a Sub-Branch meeting soon to discuss the survey results.

Dara School

Five EB meetings have been held to date, the employer will shortly respond with a salary offer. Until that point some of the matters are still in flux. We have agreement for improvements in Long Service Leave, Parental Leave (up to 16 weeks paid) and the introduction of Special Events Leave. There is also agreement for union representation on the Consultative Committee and inclusion of delegates rights and right to disconnect clauses.

Suneden Specialist School

• Salary offer of 3.25%, 3.0%, 3.0% for most employees.
• A higher increase of up to 5.6% for some School Support Officers who had fallen well behind the equivalent Department for Education (DfE) school wages.
• Other improvements include an increase in Paid Family Domestic Violence Leave to 15 days and payment of Super on the paid portion of Parental Leave
• Inclusion of delegates (reps) rights and right to disconnect.

Wilderness School: Enterprise Bargaining Commences

Enterprise bargaining has also commenced at Wilderness School with several key issues on the table:

• Coverage: The school currently claims that a number of non-teaching staff are not covered by the EA and has been compensating them as if they were award-covered. This has raised concerns about fair treatment and appropriate compensation for these employees.
• Salaries: Staff at Wilderness School are currently paid less than their counterparts in comparable schools, including those in the Catholic, DfE, and Lutheran sectors. This disparity in salaries is a significant point of contention.
• Workload: Teachers at Wilderness School are facing unreasonable and excessive workloads.  Fatigue, particularly among outdoor education and boarding house staff is also a concern. Addressing these workload issues is crucial for the well-being of the staff.
• Classification and TOIL: For non-teaching staff, matters of classification and Time Off In Lieu (TOIL) are also significant concerns that need to be addressed during the bargaining process.

Westminster School

After 12 long months of EA negotiations, which included a failed vote for approval, followed by assistance from the Fair Work Commission (dealing with a bargaining dispute) the IEU bargaining representatives have agreed to a revised employer offer being put to vote.

This offer has significantly improved benefits for all employees but most notably School Assistants. Apart from an updated classification structure and the upward movement of positions within that structure, school assistants are guaranteed future salary offers will be benchmarked against peers in ‘like schools’ as opposed to the minimum wage set within the Modern Award.

This is a significant breakthrough and was only possible because IEU members acted collectively. Teachers and Non-teaching staff engaged, understanding of each other’s claims and fully supportive of each other.

Well done to all members.