Pay rise: Campaign progress

There is progress in the quest for multi-employer/whole-of-sector agreements to address pay and conditions in the ECEC sector. Transformative change is within reach.

Long day care – supported bargaining update

The long day care proceedings are being finalised with the assistance of the Fair Work Commission.

The IEU’s claim (with the Australian Education Union and United Workers Union) for a fully funded 25% pay rise and improved conditions for teachers and educators is being considered by the federal government.

The government has advised it will consider the outcome of the Annual Wage Review before advising the IEU of their funding position.

The review was handed down on 3 June, providing for a 3.75% pay rise in your award from 1 July. The government now needs to step up and fund substantial pay rises for ECEC teachers.

The federal government has committed to funding these wage increases pending the outcome of negotiations. On budget night (14 May), Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers said, “In the wages system we have a big commitment to making sure that workers in the care economy, predominantly women, are paid fairly for the important work that they do, but there are a couple of processes under way that we don’t want to pre-empt, and so we make a responsible provision.”

Community preschools – supported bargaining update

The IEU is progressing an application to seek a supported bargaining authorisation for preschools across NSW. Thanks to all our fantastic preschool teacher ambassadors and our preschool teacher members who are uniting for change, our voice is being heard. We need a substantial pay rise and equity with teachers in schools.

Parent management committees are now coming on board to stand with preschool teachers and demand the NSW government fund improved pay and conditions in the preschool sector.

A supported bargaining application will be lodged in the Fair Work Commission in the coming weeks.

If you’d like to get involved in our ECEC campaign or just need more information, email IEU organiser Kate Damo on kate@ieu.asn.au.