Verena when she began her career with the IEU in 1986.
The IEU is farewelling Verena Heron after nearly 40 years improving the lives of teachers in the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector.
After a few years as a teacher librarian in a Marist Brothers school, she joined the IEU as an organiser in 1986.
“Unionism fulfilled a dream that I could make a difference in people’s lives through my work,” Verena said.
“I got more interested in early childhood education and the impact it could have for children in the future.”
Verena said one of the reasons ECEC teachers’ salaries started falling behind salaries for school teachers was the advent of the modern award in 2010. Modern awards set out the minimum terms and conditions of employment on top of the National Employment Standards.
“The modern award didn’t reflect early childhood teachers’ work,” Verena said. “And it became difficult to get wage increases apart from the annual wage review. Conservative governments both federally and in NSW did not believe in funding the sector.
“When the Labor government was in power in the 1980s and 90s in NSW and federally, they were very consultative about the sector wanting to hear the views not only of employers, but also teachers.”
The union sat on several decision-making bodies. “We cultivated relationships with major employer groups and major representatives to promote the value of early childhood education, the need for better regulation and the need for appropriate funding,” Verena said.
“That changed dramatically with the Liberals both at a state and federal level. Under the current state and federal Labor governments we’re seeing positive change in the sector.”
