IEU members and officials filed an historic supported bargaining claim at the Fair Work Commission on 5 July on behalf of teachers in 100 community-based preschools in NSW.
The claim includes pay increases of 25% for beginning teachers and more for experienced teachers, to bring early education and care (ECEC) teachers’ pay in line with school teachers and ECEC teachers in other states.
The IEU looks forward to negotiating with the NSW government, which would fund the pay increases arising from an agreement.
In filing the claim, the IEU garnered extensive media coverage, including the main evening TV bulletins – 10 News, 9News and 7News. Secretary Carol Matthews was interviewed on 2GB, 2SM, ABC Radio Illawarra and ABC Radio Newcastle.
Cronulla Preschool teacher-director Janene Rox was interviewed on 3CR for Stick Together, Australia’s only national radio show focused on industrial, social and workplace issues. The program can be heard nationwide on the Community Radio Network.
The event was covered in the Canberra Times, Sydney Morning Herald, St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, Ballarat Courier, The Daily Advertiser (Riverina area), The Irrigator (Leeton Shire), Workplace Express, Education HQ and specialist site The Sector, as well as various suburban newspapers throughout Sydney.
The IEU’s log of claims includes improved working conditions, such as paid parental leave and access to professional development. The IEU met with preschool teacher members to progress the claim last week, and the first hearing at the Fair Work Commission will be on 2 September.