Your health, safety, wellbeing and employment at the heart of our work

As the challenges of Term 4 and the return of students unfold within the ongoing COVID context, as always, the IEU thanks principal members for their great support and for their advocacy on behalf of their IEU principal colleagues.

Regarding the evolving COVID situation and the safe return to school of students and staff, the union is continuing to engage with employers, with the NSW and ACT governments and in the media to ensure a voice for our members about issues such as vaccinations, ventilation and air quality in schools.

The health and safety of principals, teachers and support staff is the key focus of the IEU and the union looks forward to working with our members to provide information, advice and support.

Enterprise agreements (EAs) for Catholic systemic principals (Sydney Archdiocese and the other 10 dioceses) are due for renegotiation and principals’ input is invited to assist in the development of the union’s claims for these two EAs. The IEU met with Sydney principal members on 14 October; with Wilcannia-Forbes principals on 20 October; and Parramatta principals on 21 October. We welcomes opportunities to meet via Zoom with other diocesan principals or face-to-face when possible.

In the independent schools sector, the IEU is working towards finalising the multi-enterprise agreements (MEAs) for teachers and support staff in Term 4, noting that the salary and conditions of many independent school principals are based on the teachers’ MEAs. A Zoom meeting with IEU independent sector principals is scheduled for 28 October.

The Term 4 IEU Principals’ Sub Branch meeting will be held via Zoom on 6 November and the union always welcomes the input of principals at this and other forums and via phone or email contact. Your health, safety, wellbeing and employment rights are at the heart of who we are and what we do at the IEU.

Pam Smith Principals’ Organiser