There is progress in the pursuit of a multi-employer agreement to address pay and conditions for teachers and educators in the long day care sector.
The long day care proceedings continue through ongoing negotiations at the Fair Work Commission.
The federal government is considering the claim lodged by the IEU, Australian Education Union and United Workers Union for a fully funded 25% pay rise and improved conditions for teachers and educators.
The government has committed to funding a wage increase pending outcomes from Fair Work Commission processes, where negotiations involve unions and the federal government.
The government has advised it will take the outcome of the Annual Wage Review into consideration before advising unions of the specific funding amount. The wage review delivered a 3.75% increase to early childhood teachers and educators from 1 July this year.
During his address to the ACTU Congress (read article) in early June, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recognised the work of staff in the sector, those who “teach our youngest Australians”. He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to a pay rise for staff in the long day care sector, many of whom are IEU members.
“Now that the Fair Work Commission has outlined a clear way forward on gender-based wage increases, our government will move quickly to deliver on the commitment we made in last month’s budget: an overdue pay rise for workers in early childhood education,” Albanese said.
In handing down the federal budget in May, Treasurer Jim Chalmers noted the government had made “responsible provision” for these increases.
We will keep members informed through NewsExtras in your inbox, and on our website: ieu.asn.au/early-childhood-education-care/