Following the unprecedented pay rise the IEU and its members achieved in 2023, principals received an 8% increase to their salaries also backdated to the first pay period on or after 9 October. The union is also negotiating for the three enterprise agreements for Catholic systemic principals.
As these negotiations are well under way, we anticipate voting for our principal members in early 2024. Here is the current state of play:
1.NSW and ACT Catholic Systemic Schools Principals Enterprise Agreement 2023: This is the main agreement covering principals in nine dioceses (excluding Sydney Catholic Schools and the Broken Bay diocese). The IEU has reviewed the draft agreement and we look forward to finalising it in early 2024. Improvements achieved in the agreement applying to Catholic systemic school teachers and support staff will be passed on to principals (such as improvements in paid parental leave including access to paid parental leave for the non-initial primary care giver), along with amendments to the Fair Work Act arising from the Secure Jobs Better Pay Amendment. This agreement will also formalise the 8% pay increase to ensure these increases are enforceable. The proposed enterprise agreement is a 12-month agreement with a nominal expiry date of 9 October 2024.
2.Principals (Archdiocese of Sydney) Enterprise Agreement 2023: This agreement applies to principals employed in Sydney Catholic Schools and largely reflects the main agreement (above) with some differences that apply to principals in this diocese only. The union is awaiting the draft agreement and anticipates it will settle soon after the main agreement. This is also a one-year agreement with the same nominal expiry date.
3.Catholic Schools Broken Bay Principals Enterprise Agreement 2023: The union has met regularly with this diocese throughout Term 4, and the diocese will provide a complete draft agreement to the union by the diocese by 14 December 2023. This proposed enterprise agreement will be a two-year agreement and introduce some new provisions that apply specifically in this diocese. All staff (principals, teachers and support staff) in this diocese received a 1.5% pay rise in mid-2023, followed by an 8% pay rise in October.