IEU Council endorses Log of Claims, prepares for fight ahead
The IEU Victorian Catholic Council has endorsed the 99-claim Log of Claims for a new Agreement, finalised by school Reps on 6 September and soon to be sent to employers.
Sub-branch Reps cast their votes at IEU Council
IEU General Secretary David Brear said spirited, informed discussions ensured the final claims reflect the real needs of staff.
“Reps from around the state discussed, debated, amended and ultimately endorsed the Log of Claims. This is a very important milestone: it means that we have a clear position to put to employers, and that we are ready to commence negotiations – just as soon as we can ensure that we are doing so on a level playing field with a Single Interest Authorisation (SIA) in place.”
David thanked the hard-working Reps who gave up their Saturday morning to attend in person or online, calling their involvement an ‘essential part of our democratic process’. “Thanks also to every IEU Rep and members who has had their say in getting us to this critical juncture.”
Key discussions driven by rank-and-file input included:
Salaries required to be at least equal to Catholic education interstate, not just “competitive”.
Coverage extended to Registered Training Organisations.
Recognition and fair pay for tertiary-qualified Youth Workers.
Improvements for Education Support Staff, including better leave entitlements and reimbursement of relevant employment costs such as Working With Children Checks
Protections for casual relief teachers and deputy principals.
Application of the Teacher Workload Assessment Impact Tool to all major employer-mandated curriculum or pedagogy changes.
Read the full final Log of Claims here.
The endorsement of the Log marks a critical step towards securing real improvements for Victorian Catholic sector staff and ramps up pressure on employers refusing to apply for a Single Interest Authorisation (SIA).
A SIA is essential: it grants access to good faith bargaining orders and the right to take industrial action, rights almost every other worker in Australia already enjoys. Employers, with their history of dragging out negotiations, claim they want to bargain now ̶ while staff are denied these rights. In effect, they want staff to negotiate with one hand tied behind their backs.
Under current industrial laws, the Fair Work Commission cannot grant a union-led SIA until after the current Agreement expires on 31 December. Employers, however, could apply now and get bargaining underway. Instead, they are misleading staff by claiming the union is delaying bargaining.
Bargaining which hasn’t even started yet!
Members urged to update their details for signature of support
Because of the employer stance, the IEU must demonstrate majority support for an SIA from staff members under each employer. This will be the focus in the pre-bargaining phase: Reps, members, and union staff working together to secure signatures of support, on paper and online.
David said data integrity would be critical to the success of the push for statements of support.
“We are asking EVERY member to log in to IEU Member Access to check that their contact and employment details are up to date and that their membership is active.”
David said Reps were “incredibly aware” of the importance of a SIA. “It’s fantastic how many members have grasped this situation. Now we need to spread the word about the importance of supporting a SIA to every person who works in a Victorian Catholic school”.
Achieving majority support for a SIA is a major challenge - but one the IEU is ready to meet head-on. Employers trying to weaken or mislead staff underestimate the collective strength of union members. Saturday’s meeting proved once again that when union members co-operate, our power is formidable.
