IEU gets a lesson from engaging young unionists
Every year, the IEU welcomes a group of Union Summer interns, allowing them to participate in the work that the union does for members. But the union also listens to what the interns have to say, and this year they had an important message.
Union Summer and Union Winter are keenly sought-after paid internship programs, run by the Victorian Trades Hall Council (VTHC) in conjunction with individual unions, that introduce young people to unionism and provide hands-on experience in the union movement.
This year’s three IEU interns – Stefan, Jemima and Jordon – researched the teacher retention crisis and how the IEU can attract and retain young members. They produced an impressive presentation titled Burnout for Young Teachers: How unions can help and reached the following conclusions:
‘In the education sector, research reveals that attrition rates are highest within the first five years of graduates entering the workforce. Attrition refers to the rate at which employees leave the workforce without being replaced, rather than being laid off. With the ongoing wave of retirements, the staffing crisis in education is poised to worsen, placing increasing pressure on the existing workforce.
‘Our group identified two primary factors contributing to attrition among early-career educators: psychosocial hazards and poor work-life balance.
‘Across both public and private sectors, teachers consistently report a lack of adequate behavioural support due to a mindset that tolerates psychologically harmful behaviour.
‘Research indicates that shifting intergenerational attitudes have heightened awareness of mental health challenges, with younger educators becoming less willing to tolerate work conditions that harm their wellbeing.
‘Given the high rate of attrition, the government's current policies to incentivise future students to undertake education degrees is a band-aid measure. Without meaningful intervention, the workforce shortage will inevitably escalate into a full-blown crisis. To ensure sustainable change, government policies must address critical work-life balance concerns, including comprehensive behavioural support to mitigate psychosocial hazards and better workload allocation practices to ensure a more realistic and manageable work-life balance for educators.
‘Unions and industrial bodies can help address this issue by advocating for stronger workload protections in Enterprise Bargaining Agreements and providing industry training to shift attitudes that overlook the importance of psychological health.’
The interns recognized that the issue was complex and required a comprehensive response. Their four-pronged approach focused on:
Enterprise Bargaining Agreements (EBAs)
Strengthen workload policies and enforceability measures to prevent overwork and ensure fair compensation. Increase allocated time for lesson planning, professional development, marketing, and teacher well-being.
Define clear roles and tasks to help reduce excessive workloads.
2. Training
Expand access to paid training opportunities, such as mental health first aid, within EBAs.
3. Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)
Recognize mental health hazards as occupational health and safety (OHS) risks. Enforce psychological health protections under the OHS Act (2004), which defines ‘health’ to include mental wellbeing. Develop student behavioural plans collaboratively between HSRs and school administration. Train more HSRs to ensure confidence and assertiveness in their roles. Build HSR networks to facilitate collaboration and information sharing. Provide principals with training and support to understand their legal OHS responsibilities.
4. Government lobbying
Reinstate burnout as a condition covered by WorkSafe Strengthen industry Awards for both teachers and support staff, ensuring:
Fairer remuneration
Better workload allocation policies
Introduce paid mental health and burnout leave for educators.
The IEU thanks this year’s interns for their commitment and creativity, and wishes them all the best on their union journeys. We are certain we will see more of them!