IEU General Secretary John Quessy has recently written to principal members in NSW and ACT Catholic systemic schools to thank them for their great support for their teacher and general staff colleagues during the protracted enterprise agreement (EA) dispute. The IEU acknowledges the conflicting pressures on principals in such disputes arising from their duty to their employer and their loyalty to their own staff.
Principals have welcomed the agreement which has now been reached between the IEU and Catholic Commission for Employment Relations (CCER) and the Union’s recommendation of a ‘yes’ vote when the EA is put to staff early in Term 3.
Given the progress of the EA for teachers and general staff, the IEU has now formally requested CCER to resume negotiations for an EA for principals. The Union looks forward to liaising with its Catholic systemic principal members in advancing the EA negotiations. Some dioceses have been consulting with principals in regard to what they would like to see in a future EA.
Principals’ health and wellbeing
Many principals have raised with the IEU concerns about their health, safety and wellbeing, including within the context of the 2014 ACU/Teachers Health Fund research into the roles and workload pressures on principals and assistant principals. The IEU has held discussions with some diocesan employers in regard to principals’ health and safety concerns and will seek to ensure that EA discussions acknowledge the diverse and expanding expectations on principals in their school communities.
An article Principals Under Pressure outlining the research and containing input from principals, was published in the March edition of IE Magazine (p22).
Professional issues
One of the IEU’s major focus areas is enhancing access to professional development and the Union is pleased to support principals via the Teacher Learning Network, the recent Securing Our Future conference and principals’ engagement in PIPs, women’s forums and conferences. The IEU’s Environment Conference will be held on 16 October.
PIPs on Anti Social Media may be of particular interest to principals seeking to manage these issues with staff, parents and students.
Ongoing engagement
IEU Principals’ Branch will hold its Term 3 meeting on 1 August at the Union’s Parramatta office. The Union also welcomes other opportunities to meet with its principal members at school, system or regional levels. IEU principals’ gatherings scheduled for later this year include Sydney Inner West on 31 July, Dubbo on 11 September, Wagga Wagga on 28 October and Lismore in early December.
The IEU looks forward to working with its principal members to protect and advance the interests of principals in NSW and ACT Catholic and independent schools.