Bedrock Upfront

Supported Bargaining

The Fair Work Commission heard its first application for multi-enterprise supported bargaining in the early childhood education and care sector on 16 and 17 August.

Under the new Secure Work Better Jobs Act introduced in June, it is easier for unions to bargain for enterprise agreements with groups of employers and require the funding authority to be part of the process (in this case the Federal Government).

The IEU, along with the United Workers Union (UWU), which represents ECEC educators in NSW, and the Australian Education Union (AEU), which represents ECEC teachers in Victoria, have jointly lodged an application.

A group of 64 ECEC employers has agreed to be part of the application. As it is supported bargaining, the funding body, which is the Federal Government in this case, will also be a party to the discussions.

IEUA NSW/ACT Branch Deputy Secretary Carol Matthews said, “This is a historic step in utilising the new provisions and the IEU is optimistic that it will lead to improved pay outcomes for early childhood teachers.”

Free webinars

The NSW Department of Education held a series of online webinars called ECEC Connect earlier this year, aimed at supporting and promoting the early childhood education and care sector.

To view the recordings, see here: bit.ly/3QDJcja

KU preschool terms

Members working in KU preschools in NSW contacted the IEU recently, concerned that their employer had published term dates for 2024 that did not align with school holidays. The misalignment of dates was six weeks over the year.

The IEU contacted KU and was advised that the term dates would not be revised and that this was not considered to be a significant change, so no consultation with employees was required.

The union wrote to the CEO to raise concerns that members with children would need to pay for their children to attend vacation care for six weeks, a significant expense for these teachers.

In addition, KU teachers would spend six weeks at home while their children were at school.

KU met with the union via Teams and agreed to change the dates but expected teachers to return on 19 January (school does not resume until 1 February), which would mean teachers would work 208 days despite the KU enterprise agreement stating teachers work a maximum of 204 days.

The union insisted KU teachers would not be working any additional days and eventually KU sent out revised preschool term dates that align with school terms, apart from the two child-free days included in the enterprise agreement.

Funding critical for free kindy

IEU-QNT has called for appropriate funding for the early childhood education sector following the Queensland Government’s announcement kindergarten will be free for all children from 2024.

Branch Secretary Terry Burke said while the government’s plan recognised the importance of early childhood education, it required adequate funding for the sector.

Mr Burke said our union had sought an urgent meeting with the Department of Education regarding members’ serious concerns.

“This includes the Department’s understanding of the costs associated with the conditions our members operate under in collective agreements with their employers,” he said.

“For example, our members are unclear on how provisions around Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers (HALT) will be met under any future kindergarten funding.

“The Department needs to understand the difference of the operation costs between long day care centres and kindergartens.”

Mr Burke said ongoing, long-term funding would be needed to allow centres to employ staff on a continuing basis, as well as provide opportunities for professional development and training to upskill staff and increase job security for our members.

“This critical funding not only ensures the viability of the sector, but means employers no longer have excuses to avoid enhancing the wages and working conditions of early childhood education employees.

“Kindergarten teachers and assistants deserve the professional respect, recognition and remuneration afforded to staff in primary and secondary schools,” Mr Burke said.

John Spriggs retires after 28 years

IEU-QNT Senior Industrial Officer John Spriggs recently retired after 28 years of making an immeasurable difference to the lives of IEU members.

In July 1995, John began work as a Senior Industrial Officer at our union, coinciding with the greatest industrial change in Australia’s history.

IEUA Federal Secretary Brad Hayes said IEU members were fortunate to have John fighting on their behalf during a time of great uncertainty when Australians faced an overhaul of workplace laws.

“John’s steady and guiding hand supported our members as the Australian industrial system moved from centralised wages and conditions to deregulation and enterprise-level negotiations,” Brad said.

“He has been a central and leading member of the federal IEU Industrial Committee over the last two decades.”

John’s contribution to the early childhood education sector throughout his career has been particularly remarkable, having been instrumental in achieving pay parity for early childhood teachers with their schoolteacher counterparts in Queensland.

We thank John for his outstanding service to our union and wish him all the best for his retirement.