Catholic systemic schools
Until recently there had been a deafening silence on the part of Catholic employers about the new pay offer that was made by the ACT Government in late October to teachers in government schools. The offer was for increases of 1.5% every six months, commencing from 1 October this year, until 1 April 2018. The offer also included additional payments for Highly Accomplished Teachers of approximately $5000 per annum. The Australian Education Union (AEU) has rejected the offer and negotiations are continuing. At time of writing, the ACT Government has indicated that it would like an in principle agreement by 30 November 2014. The current government pay offer exceeds NSW rates during the life of the agreement.
On the 14 November the Catholic Commission for Employment Relations (CCER) on behalf of the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn wrote to the Union stating:
“…should the current wages offer be accepted, ACT public sector teacher rates would be ahead of NSW rates at various times throughout the life of the agreement. Given the above, the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn propose that their teachers be paid NSW rates under a new Agreement…”
This proposal was a change from the earlier position of the employer. The Union wrote to the CCER indicating that the Union would not accept ACT teachers being paid less than ACT public sector teachers.
Just as Newsmonth goes to press, the CCER has advised that the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn does not intend to pay ACT Catholic school teachers rates of pay that are lower than those that apply to teachers in ACT government schools.
While the Union welcomes these assurances, the ACT government pay issue remains unsettled. It is also increasingly difficult to envisage incorporating the ACT in a NSW settlement. As well as the pay issue, the IEU is still awaiting proposals in relation to early learning staff. The Union will continue to update members on these issues.
AIS schools
The Union has been negotiating with the AIS concerning a new multi-enterprise agreement to apply in four independent schools. There have been many changes in the position of the AIS, on behalf of the ACT schools, since negotiations commenced. The Union will advise members as soon as possible of our position but it is unclear whether the MEA can proceed to the vote this year.
Catholic congregational schools
Following consultation with IEU reps at Daramalan, St Edmund’s and Marist College, the IEU responded to the latest proposal from employers for a new agreement.
A key sticking point was the proposed change by the employers to progressive accrual of sick leave. The Union has urged the employers to reconsider their position and is hoping the new agreement can be finalised without further delay.