No locked-in low pay rises

On 12 October, the IEU appeared at the NSW Industrial Relations Commission (NSWIRC) for the first time in a decade to reject the paltry wage increases the Commission is forced to provide.

The NSWIRC granted leave for the IEU to appear because a link has existed (since 1993) between salary outcomes in NSW government schools and Catholic systemic schools.

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A circuit breaker was required. The IEU took legal advice and against considerable odds was permitted leave to appear. The intervention in the matter (the determination of government school teachers’ salaries) was opposed by the Department of Education and supported by the NSW Teachers Federation.

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Legislative changes in 2011 mean the NSWIRC has been hamstrung for more than a decade with no choice but to apply the NSW Government’s restrictive wages policy. Running a work-value case in the NSWIRC has been futile.

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Having adopted the ‘no stone left unturned’ approach in the union’s quest to have our members’ voices heard, the decision to engage with the NSWIRC hearing was straightforward.

Since February, IEU members in Catholic systemic schools have been pursuing five key claims underpinning new enterprise agreements: pay teachers what they’re worth; give support staff a fair deal; let teachers teach – cut paperwork; allow time to plan and end staff shortages.

It was imperative that the IEU advocate on behalf of its members in the NSWIRC.

The NSW Labor Opposition has come out in strong support of allowing the NSWIRC to determine the value of work performed by teachers and school support staff, rather than simply applying an arbitrary wages cap.

In terms of progressing industrial relations in the NSW context, the NSWIRC must be able to resolve protracted, complex disputes such as those endured by teachers, school support staff, nurses, and NSW public servants. The Commission must be empowered to carry out its function.

Although Catholic school employers are not bound by the state industrial relations system, they have long hidden behind the NSW Government’s wages policy. They have also failed to address chronic workload intensification in their schools.

The latest offer made by Catholic employers does nothing but lock in cuts to real wages until 2025, despite acute staffing shortages.

Catholic employers have stayed silent on the sidelines for too long. It is time for them to back their teachers and support staff by negotiating in good faith with their union.

IEU and Teachers Federation members condemn the NSW Government's wages policy and its detrimental impact on education. Enough is enough. Low wage outcomes will not alleviate severe staffing shortages.