We farewell and welcome new staff
2024 ended with the retirement of two of our longest serving staff.
Union work is not for the faint of heart and it takes strong resolve to build a career and stay when much of your work is adversarial. It is testament to the character of both Frank and Bruno that they led such long careers with the IEU(SA).
Farewell Frank and Bruno
Frank Bernardi started with the IEU(SA) in 2006 as an Organiser, having been an experienced teacher in Catholic schools and an active IEU member and Rep. Shortly after, he moved into the role of Industrial Officer. Hundreds of members over the years have been assisted by Frank and employers have been held to account. His tenaciousness to get the best outcome for members has resulted in some significant wins. What was to become known as the “St Peter’s Meals Dispute” was significant action that Frank led when St Peter’s unilaterally removed lunches from staff. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-30/st-peters-college-settle-staff-lunch-dispute/5776960
Frank also led negotiations for the Catholic Enterprise Agreement on multiple occasions. Again, his tenacity saw IEU(SA) Catholic members take Protected Industrial Action for the first time. This action in 2004 directly resulted in the introduction of class size limits and caps on Student Contact Time, relief lessons and co-curricular activities.
More recently, wage theft had become a focus and while most of these outcomes are wrapped in a deed (which means that we can’t disclose details) there have been significant wins.
Bruno Sartoretto started with the IEU(SA) in the middle of 2008. Bruno had been an active Rep at many Catholic schools over a number of years and a member of the IEU(SA) Executive. His advocacy and knowledge in those roles put him in good stead to begin his Organising career. Bruno constantly looked for ways that the IEU could improve. Never short of an idea, or different way of doing things, his ideas challenged the status quo, yet were always focussed on trying to make the IEU better. Bruno was very clever at getting the best out of negotiations. Employers knew that they were always going to have a battle when putting forward changes that would affect members.
Bruno with Branch Secretary Tim Oosterbaan
We wish Frank and Bruno all the best in retirement and the extra time that it provides to be with family.
Welcome to Miranda
With change comes opportunities and it is with pleasure that I introduce your new IEU(SA) Organiser, Miranda McDonagh. Miranda joins us from Professionals Australia (the union for Scientists, Engineers and Pharmacists) where she worked as both an Organiser and as a Communications Officer. We are sure that Miranda’s enthusiasm and energy will connect with members throughout the year.
