For the past 18 months, the IEU has been bargaining with the Anglican Schools Commission, the employer at Trinity Anglican College Thurgoona (near Albury). In a significant move, members voted down the proposed enterprise agreement on 9 August 2022.
IEU members at Trinity Anglican College have always been part of the multi-enterprise agreements that apply to other similar independent schools in NSW. This means that members at the college have enjoyed the same terms and conditions of employment as teachers and support staff at about 100 other independent schools throughout the state.
In an unceremonious move by the employer, the Anglican Schools Commission opted out of the multi-enterprise agreements in favour of one single enterprise agreement for staff at the school. This single enterprise agreement would cover both teachers and support staff under one industrial instrument.
The employer drafted this proposed enterprise agreement. Upon review of the final version of this EA, the union was deeply concerned by the substantial diminution of members’ entitlements and erosion of longstanding rights that had been hard won by the IEU. The IEU was unable to endorse the making of this enterprise agreement and encouraged members to vote ‘no’.
On Tuesday 9 August, the employer advised all staff and the IEU that the proposed agreement had been voted down. The IEU will now return to the bargaining table to seek substantial improvements in the terms and conditions of employment for our members.