120 examples of IEU solidarity
IEU members have shown their determination to fight for full industrial rights with an extraordinary show of support for striking state school colleagues on Tuesday 24 March.
Sub-branches across Victoria found lawful ways to back colleagues in government schools as they campaign for fair salaries in Victorian education. The incredible outpouring of photos, memes, videos, social media posts, and on-site actions made it clear that IEU members are equally committed to speaking out for improved wages and conditions in their own workplaces.
At last count, a remarkable 120 sub-branches had contributed to the solidarity actions, from wearing black at morning teas to passing branch motions supporting state school colleagues.
Addressing members, IEU General Secretary David Brear said, “The AEU sent a powerful message to the Victorian Government about the crisis in salaries and workloads in our schools, and IEU members showed their support in a range of creative ways — as well as their anger at being denied the right to take similar industrial action.”
St Joseph’s Geelong raised $1,300 to buy ‘solidarity coffees’ for state school colleagues travelling to Melbourne for the rally.
Retired members and those not currently working in schools also attended.
One school billboard broadcast that Catholic schools are blocked from striking and that members stand in solidarity with the AEU.
In Leongatha, members caught the attention of the local newspaper with their plan to write to the Pope to highlight what they called the un-Christian anti-worker actions of Catholic employers in Victoria.
There was also a huge outpouring of support from IEU members in Victorian independent schools, from Carey to Bacchus Marsh Grammar to Eltham College and many more.
The AEU strike, the first in 13 years, served as a stark reminder of the immense frustration of educators at employers taking for granted the sacrifices made over years to keep schools running despite rising violence and workload pressures, which are contributing to an unprecedented teacher shortage.
IEU warns of escalating action as negotiations stall
The IEU has told members that industrial action in Victorian Catholic schools will escalate in Term 2 if employers continue to delay negotiations and deny staff fair bargaining rights.
David Brear said progress toward a new Agreement has slowed, with the Victorian Catholic Education Authority cancelling the last two scheduled bargaining meetings. Ten meetings have been held so far, and the union completed its detailed Log of Claims in mid-March.
Employers are also delaying the progress of the IEU’s application for a Single Interest Authorisation (SIA) to the Fair Work Commission. This means that, unlike colleagues in government schools and Catholic schools interstate, IEU members in Victorian Catholic schools are still denied the right to take protected industrial action.
David emphasised that improved pay and conditions remain an urgent priority, and access to effective bargaining rights is critical to achieving these outcomes.
At the most recent bargaining meeting, the IEU negotiating team was joined by two Catholic primary principals, who reinforced the need for improved conditions for school leaders. The union will continue bringing members directly into negotiations, so employers hear firsthand about the pressures facing staff.
The union expects negotiations to resume in the coming weeks but warned that further delays will leave members with no choice but to increase pressure on employers with more school-level action.
The IEU will also continue to organise delegations to political leaders and decision-makers, following recent meetings with federal representatives including Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles.
IEU Solidarity Gallery!
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