Former teacher and organiser Kevin Phillips, left, celebrates 50 years of IEU membership in 2023 with former IEUA NSW/ACT Branch Secretary Mark Northam.
The IEU honours long-term member Kevin Phillips, who passed away on 24 July.
Solidarity and comradeship were central union values to Kevin, who joined the IEU in 1973.
Kevin’s concern for both individual members and big-picture issues reflected his belief that union members acting in unison could improve and change their working lives.
Entering the teaching profession in 1968, Kevin worked in government schools before moving to Marist Brothers Hamilton (now St Francis Xavier’s College) in the early 1970s.
When Kevin joined the union, it was known as the Assistant Masters and Mistresses Association, with a membership of 800. Today the IEU has more than 32,000 members.
Upon receiving his 50-year membership certificate in 2023, Kevin said: “My dad had been a union rep, my brother was a union rep, and I was brought up with the understanding that it’s the right thing to be in the union.”
Expansive career
Catholic education underwent substantial change during the 1970s. The number of staff from religious orders was in decline and more and more lay teachers began to fill the gaps.
This provided Kevin with a unique opportunity. He became the school’s union rep, then the Hunter Valley Sub Branch President and delegate to union Council meetings that bring together elected members from throughout NSW and the ACT. Council is the union’s ultimate governing and decision-making body.
Kevin went on to join the 22-member IEU Executive, which oversees union strategy and direction between quarterly Council meetings.
Kevin was part of a long-running campaign for pay parity for staff in non-government schools with their counterparts in government schools.
After a long teaching career, Kevin was employed as an organiser at the IEU. He brought detailed knowledge of the union, great skill in assisting members in difficult circumstances and a readiness to challenge employers when needed.
Kevin also brought a keen eye for detail to IEU Council meetings, ensuring minutes were accurate.
Super hero
A dignified retirement for teachers and support staff was one of Kevin’s particular goals.
He was appointed a trustee of NGS, the superannuation fund for staff in non-government schools.
The Catholic diocesan superannuation schemes were small, inefficient and had no union representation. When NGS was established in 1988, it provided a model through which unions and employers came together to manage workers’ retirement funds.
Being part of this progression towards a sustainable retirement for all non-government school staff was important to Kevin – and led to considerable benefits for members.
Boundless energy
The broader union movement also benefited from Kevin’s dedication.
Kevin was a delegate to Trades Hall Newcastle when the waterfront dispute hit Newcastle in 1998.
Kevin joined the picket line in the evenings and was soon on barbecue duties, feeding Maritime Union of Australia members who were on strike.
The IEU thanks Kevin for his rich legacy of educational, industrial, financial and cultural progress at school, regional and state level.
The union offers its heartfelt condolences to Kevin’s family.
The IEU salutes you, Kevin. Rest in peace.