Subject: Your signature is critical - Sign the Petition of Support now

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Dear colleagues, 

I'm writing as your IEU Rep to ask every member of staff to take one minute today to sign the Petition of Support for fair bargaining. 

✍️ Please sign today at www.ieuvictas.org.au/sign-pos  

Catholic education staff deserve an Agreement that delivers meaningful pay increases and protects hard-won conditions. The employers’ latest bargaining position shows they won't agree to the improvements we need without us making our voices heard.

But right now, we don’t have the same bargaining rights as our government colleagues - they will be on strike next Thursday and legally we can’t do the same.

Last year, many of us signed a Statement of Support for fair bargaining. Thanks to our incredible effort, the IEU has an application covering 24 Catholic education employers before the Fair Work Commission for a Single Interest Authorisation (SIA).

A SIA would finally enable us to negotiate with employers on a level playing field, opening pathways to dispute resolution and protected industrial action if needed for a fair outcome.

Unfortunately, our employer isn't included in the current SIA application – but the good news is that we can take action today. 

If a majority of our employer’s staff sign the Petition of Support, the IEU can apply to the Fair Work Commission to include our employer in an SIA.

Why should I sign? 

The employers' latest bargaining position still falls short on critical issues staff have been raising for years, including workload, preparation time, education support overtime and time-in-lieu protections, flexibility, safety and student behaviour support, and other important conditions. Employers want to weaken the conditions staff won over many decades.

The more staff who stand together, the more clearly employers will hear our message in support of fair pay and conditions. 

But I signed last year! 

Well done. 

Disputes about employer workforce data led to not every employer being included in the current application. The quickest way forward is to run a new petition to show our clear majority support. 

If you signed last year, please sign again. 

If you didn't sign last year, now is the time to add your name. 

The petition is confidential. 

Please help spread the word 

Once you've signed, please help by asking one or two colleagues to do the same. 

Most people sign because someone they know asks them - if we all have a couple of conversations over the next week or two, we can make a real difference. 

✍️ Please sign today at www.ieuvictas.org.au/sign-pos  

Thanks for your support. 

In unity, 

[Rep Name]