A lot has been happening in the Catholic sector, with members across many schools taking protected industrial action (PIA) for a fair enterprise agreement.

PIA is a last step for any bargaining as it means the parties are not able to reach agreement and applying for a Protected Action Ballot Order from the Fair Work Commission (FWC) enables members to organise and take action to get their employer back to bargaining and to reach agreement that members can vote on.

It is not just the Catholic sector that used PIA

In 2025, St Peter’s Girls School applied for and won the right to PIA, and through strategic use of the approved industrial actions, they saw their salary offer move from 10.25% to 13% (inclusive of backpay), a reduction in co-curricular, teaching load and fortnightly pay.

Reps and members at St Peter’s showed solidarity together to win:

“Our Sub-Branch showed up when it mattered and worked together. We had a lot of trust, and we worked hard to maintain an excellent relationship with each other throughout the process.”

If you win PIA – use it!

Members in Catholic schools who fought and won PIA are standing together for each other and fighting for better salaries and conditions for all staff.

They are taking action by wearing black IEU t-shirts, stopping work, handing out flyers of information to colleagues and parents, imposing bans on attending meetings and after-hours events.

The IEU has been supporting members in schools throughout and through the media to make sure their voice is amplified as far and wide as possible.

Hundreds of messages of support have been sent to IEU Members in Catholic schools by parents.

Catholic members have found their voice – make sure your school does too!

Well done to all members and IEU Reps who have spread their voice in schools and asked potential members to join the IEU in solidarity and add their voice to the campaign.

The IEU has had unprecedented membership growth recently – make sure your school is growing their IEU membership and be ready to participate in bargaining for your next enterprise agreement.

Members taking action – a pictorial snapshot

Members at Rostrevor College also took ‘stop work’ action on Wednesday 23 September

^{23 September 2026}