Teachers
Catholic dioceses have paid teachers a 2.27% pay rise from the first pay period from 1 January 2014.
Contrary to the impression given by some employers, this is not a settlement of the IEU claim.
In a letter to the Catholic Commission for Employment Relations, the representative of the dioceses, in late December, the Union stated:
The Union does not oppose an interim payment to teachers and principals in Catholic systemic schools.
The Union will however press our full claim in relation to salaries and conditions and matters arising from GTIL vigorously and we seek a schedule of meetings in the New Year to discuss the IEU’s claim and other matters. These negotiations will be commencing shortly.
In early February, the Union will be writing to all Chapters reminding members of our full claim and requesting that Chapters endorse the claim.
Key elements of the claim include:
- a total pay rise of 5% in 2014
- employer payment of any compulsory fees for the NSW Institute of Teachers and the Working With Children Check
- release time for provisionally and conditionally accredited teachers in line with the new DEC standard – that is two hours per week for the teacher and one hour for the supervisor/mentor in the first year and one hour per week in the second year for the beginning teacher and the mentor
- agreement on processes for Teacher Performance and Development and performance management with all dioceses
- VET teachers – compensation on a time in lieu basis (to be taken in half or full day blocks) for time spent outside normal school hours visiting workplaces to supervise students or for time spent outside normal school hours acquiring mandatory industry experience for accreditation
- remuneration to compensate for any accreditation required beyond Institute of Teachers requirement such as RE accreditation.
Support and Maintenance and Outdoor Staff
In October 2013 all Catholic dioceses agreed to pay an interim pay increase of 2.27% to support and maintenance and outdoor staff, backdated to July 2013.
Catholic dioceses are however refusing to pay a full 2.5% pay rise to employees in Catholic schools. Although the NSW Industrial Relations Commission granted the 2.5% pay rise to NSW public service employees in late December, the Union understands the additional amount above 2.27% has still not been paid to government workers because of a further appeal by the NSW government.
The Union is monitoring the situation closely.