Subject: The campaign for fair bargaining rights in Victorian Catholic education.  

Dear Colleague

As the IEU Rep in our workplace, I’m writing to you with important updates on the campaign for fair bargaining for better salaries and conditions.

Sign a Statement of Support today at www.ieuvictas.org.au/sos

We all received an email on Friday from the VCEA, expressing continued opposition to Single Interest bargaining in Victorian Catholic education.

This is deeply disappointing. The VCEA is well aware that majorities of staff at 28 out of 36 employers have already signed a Statement of Support for the fair bargaining rights that only a Single Interest Authorisation can provide in our sector. We’re also very close to confirming a majority at other employers, including MACS, DOBCEL and CESL.

Our union wants one Single Interest Agreement covering all staff in Victorian Catholic education, and we want to get started on negotiations on the real improvements to salaries and conditions this Single Interest Agreement must deliver. The VCEA says it wants improvements as well – but if that was the case, employers would support the IEU’s SIA application and agree as an interim measure to pass on the salary increases and bonuses outlined in their ‘offer’.

The easiest path would be for the VCEA to agree to Single Interest bargaining – that would avoid delays to finalising the next Agreement. If they continue to refuse, we must show the Fair Work Commission that there is strong majority support across the state for an SIA so that it can be granted as soon as possible, ensuring fair and productive negotiations.

With staff majorities won across so many employers, and getting closer by the day at those remaining, there is only one way forward: fair bargaining for long-term improvements to our salaries and conditions under an SIA. Let’s put an end to the delays by getting the strongest majority support we can. If you have not done so already, please put your name to a Statement of Support at www.ieuvictas.org.au/sos

Thank you for your support.

In unity, 
[Name] 
IEU Rep