Lutheran Bargaining Update – pauses on clauses
Bargaining continues on the Lutheran Enterprise Agreement (EA) and whilst progress is occurring, reading clauses is consuming a lot of time, and the Employer has parked a number of matters.
This pause comes when we are probably 20 clauses of review behind where we could be, often because of differences between where employer reps stand on clauses that have already been agreed — such as Reproductive Health — or the calculation of Personal Leave.
Personal leave changes proposed by the employer have been challenged by the IEU as they are not understanding the calculation of personal leave, and their drafting of a proposed clause essentially reduces entitlements – but they aren’t seeing that.
The IEU will not back down on looking after the health of employees or reducing current leave entitlements in future agreements.
One key highlight of bargaining has been member-led activism to run the discussion on camp allowances and infectious disease clauses. IEU Reps and members are to be applauded for this – our Industrial Officer and Organiser were able to simply oversee this discussion. Well done!
In principle agreement has been reached on:
- A definition of primary carer.
- A new induction clause.
- Definition of immediate family for the kinship clause.
- Use of the term first nations people.
- Model Flexibility Clause to be included.
- Reproductive health leave and flexible work options.
- Recall allowance.
- Vehicle allowance increased to $1.01.
- Camp Allowance: a minimum of $100 — noting this is also part of workload agreements.
Further discussion will need to be held at a future date when the employer is prepared to discuss:
- Paid Parental Leave and the concept that this is an allowance.
- Foster Carers
- Still Birth and miscarriage
- Domestic Violence
- Long Service Leave
- Toileting allowance
- The scope of who is covered by the agreement
Mind Your Head
Paul Hopkins, Mind Your Head project coordinator from SA Unions, Craig Fielke from Lutheran Education SA, NT and WA (LESNW) and Dan Farmer (IEU(SA) Industrial Officer) had a meeting to discuss including the Mind Your Head Program in a Lutheran School.
In principle agreement has been reached, with future discussion to identify a school where the principal is willing to implement it.
Read here for information about Mind Your Head
Member Actions
As always, a strong voice at the bargaining table starts with growing a strong and active IEU membership in Lutheran schools.
- Have the IEU chat – ask a potential member to join
- Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for updates and industry news.
If you have any questions relating to the bargaining, ask your IEU Rep or speak to your Organiser – enquiries@ieusa.org.au or 8410 0122
