Negotiating enterprise agreements can be like navigating different roads – some lengthy and winding, others more direct. Nevertheless, our destination remains the same: securing fair pay and improving conditions for all employees. Such is the tale of our bargaining journey with Christian Schools Australia for staff in about 35 NSW Christian schools.
The straight road: General Staff Multi-Enterprise Agreement
For general staff, the path to a multi-enterprise agreement (MEA) is straightforward. The union has made significant strides towards finalising an MEA that promises substantial improvements in both pay and conditions. Some of the most noteworthy aspects of this proposed MEA include:
- a 4% pay increase in February 2024, 2025 and 2026
- a revamped classification structure and substantially higher pay rates for school-based psychologists, closely mirroring those of their counterparts in NSW government schools
- a boost to personal/carer’s leave entitlements from 10 days to 15 days annually
- a substantial increase to the New Parent Bonus, aligning with the federal government’s paid parental leave scheme – moving from 22 weeks starting in July 2024 to 26 weeks by July 2026
- non-primary carers (usually fathers) will no longer have their two weeks of paid parental leave deducted from their personal leave balance.
In addition, recent changes in industrial relations laws have helped pave the way for more improvements in the MEA. We expect to see greater access to flexibility in work arrangements to promote work-life balance, enhanced job security through limitations on fixed-term contracts, and the right to disconnect from work.
Most importantly, the new MEA must include a clause on union delegates’ (also known as reps) rights to ensure effective representation in workplace matters, enhancing the union’s advocacy on behalf of its members.
The winding road: Teachers Multi-Enterprise Agreement
The road to an MEA for teachers is traversing a more intricate path. While the union has achieved improvements to conditions of employment akin to general staff (see above), the pay offer for teachers has been inadequate.
In 2023, teachers in NSW government schools and Catholic systemic schools gained their biggest pay increase in decades. This historic pay rise set a precedent, spurring efforts to secure similar increases across non-government school sectors. Catholic independent schools and Christian schools that are represented by the Association of Independent Schools NSW, subsequently followed suit.
For Christian schools represented by CSA, we’ve secured an offer of an 11% pay increase across all teachers’ classifications in 2024. An initial increase of 7% was paid to teachers from February 2024 and an additional 4% will be payable in October 2024.
Starting in July 2026, it was proposed that there would be fewer steps within teacher classifications, enabling teachers to progress to the top of the pay scale sooner.
However, we were disappointed to see CSA offer a meagre 1.5% for 2025 and 2026, especially since there is no guarantee that teachers in their schools won’t lag behind their counterparts in NSW government schools after the change to teacher classification in July 2026. In response, we used the resounding collective voice of IEU members in these schools (92%) to reject the offer.
Because teachers in NSW government schools and other sectors are expected to receive increases of 3% to 4% for upcoming years, we are unable to accept CSA’s current offer.
The union has advised CSA that we will agree to temporarily suspend bargaining if our members can enjoy the benefits of our wins from the negotiation so far, such as improvements to paid parental leave.
Fortunately, we have successfully locked in the pay increases for 2024, with members anticipating an additional 4% increment in their take-home pay starting from October 2024.
The road ahead
While the union has achieved substantial gains for our members in schools represented by CSA, the journey towards fair pay and conditions for all our members in these schools, particularly teachers, continues.
We encourage our members to stay the course. Your support and engagement is crucial in maintaining momentum and achieving lasting improvements. Together, with continued solidarity and determination, we can build upon our achievements. This is how union membership makes a difference in our working lives.