For union members working in Catholic systemic schools, Work Practices Agreements (WPAs) have long provided essential protections around teacher workload management. They play a crucial role in improving the quality of the day-to-day working lives of teachers.
Such agreements are only possible due to the high density of union membership in this sector as this strengthens our bargaining position.
As bargaining progresses for a new enterprise agreement, IEU officers are actively negotiating with Catholic diocesan employers to further strengthen WPAs. Key areas we are targeting include:
- capping class sizes, particularly in secondary schools where practical classes are involved
- ensuring at least 50 per cent of the additional eight school development days are reserved for teacher-directed professional development
- clarifying limits on meetings to provide teachers with more time for planning, teaching and student engagement
- imposing restrictions on meetings for teachers in promotion positions and prescribing additional release time for those in these leadership roles
- re-evaluating the concept of face-to-face teaching to ensure clarity on what constitutes teaching hours
- additional support for teachers who are teaching students with diverse learning needs.
Right to disconnect
In an era of constant connectivity, the pressure to be available outside of working hours has blurred the boundaries between personal and professional life.
Most existing WPAs include provisions limiting email use at certain times. The IEU is pushing to strengthen these provisions to cover all forms of communication from parents, students and staff.
Specifically, we are advocating for teachers not to be expected to monitor, read or respond to communications outside the hours that they normally perform work. This provision is vital for work-life balance, allowing teachers to recharge and maintain their wellbeing without the stress of after-hours communication.
Consultation: Have your say
If you work in a Catholic systemic school, our officers want to hear your thoughts on the IEU’s current claims for your WPA. We encourage you to contact your organiser and arrange a chapter meeting at your school.
Join the union: Hear our collective voice
The improvements in work practices enjoyed by members in Catholic systemic schools did not happen by chance: they are the result of strong union membership and advocacy.
Union members have a direct say in shaping their working conditions. If you know a colleague who is not yet a union member, encourage them to join the union. We are stronger together.
If you don’t work in the Catholic systemic sector, now is still the time to join the union and add strength to your collective voice. The Catholic systemic WPAs demonstrate the power of unity. Every union member counts.