Around 200 IEU members at Overnewton Anglican Community College took half-day stop-work action on Thursday afternoon, in a colourful and energetic protest against the school’s current bargaining position – which would see salaries fall thousands of dollars behind rates paid in government schools while doing little to address members’ workload concerns.

It was the first strike in the school’s almost 40-year history and the most significant escalation yet in a dispute that has now run for more than six months.

Members from both Overnewton campuses gathered at the Yirramboi campus, where a make-your-own-placard station was put to very good use, producing a colourful collection of signs before the crowd set off.

The Herald Sun described “loud, sign-bearing” educators marching across the bridge over the Calder Highway as cars and trucks sounded their horns below. Members chanted for fair pay before gathering for a final rally in a nearby park.

Several teachers and education support staff gave impassioned and moving speeches about their commitment to Overnewton, its students and its community – and their deep disappointment that this commitment was not being recognised through competitive salaries and working conditions.

One member told the Herald Sun that while staff loved their students, unpaid work after hours and on weekends was taking its toll: “If we don’t do it, nobody else will.”

Support also came from students. Year 12 student Jackson told the paper: “Every teacher here – they’re the best.”

Why members are taking action

IEU members have been bargaining with Overnewton since March for a replacement Enterprise Agreement covering salaries and working conditions.

The College’s current wage offer would see teacher and education support staff salaries fall behind the new benchmark set by the Victorian Government Schools Agreement. Under the College’s proposal, an experienced teacher would receive around $7,500 less over the next three years than their government-school counterpart, while some education support classifications would be more than $10,000 behind over the same period.

Members have rejected the offer and overwhelmingly voted to authorise protected industrial action.

The dispute is also fundamentally about workload.

Members are seeking clear, enforceable limits around teachers’ working hours and employer-directed duties, including guaranteed planning and preparation time and reasonable limits on meetings, yard duty and other directed work.

A teacher’s workload extends far beyond the hours spent in front of a class. Planning, assessment, reporting, meetings, parent communication, yard duty, camps and co-curricular activities all have to fit somewhere into the working week.

IEU General Secretary David Brear said the new government-school outcome had changed the landscape for every school employer in Victoria.

“The wage increases won by AEU members have reset the benchmark across Victorian education. Independent schools cannot simply ignore that benchmark and expect experienced staff to accept falling behind.”

He said independent schools relied on the work of their staff to deliver the educational experience they promoted to families.

“You cannot promise an outstanding education while allowing the pay and conditions of the people delivering it to fall behind.”

Community backs staff

The action has also drawn considerable support from Overnewton families.

Members have been speaking directly with parents throughout the campaign and have been enormously grateful for the support they have received. More than 500 people have signed a community petition supporting staff, while parents have also written directly to the College Board urging it to resolve the dispute.

That support reflects an understanding that attracting and retaining great teachers and education support staff is fundamental to the quality and stability of students’ education.

Members have also made clear throughout the campaign that they do not take industrial action lightly. They would rather be doing their jobs than taking stop-work action – but after six months of bargaining they believe this is a critical moment for the future of the school.

Making news

The unprecedented action attracted substantial media attention.

The Age, the Herald Sun, ABC Radio, EducationHQ and local media all covered the dispute, with reports focusing on the historic nature of the strike, the pay gap opening up with government schools, excessive workloads and the strong support members have received from students and families.

The Herald Sun also picked up one of the day's sharper lines from David Brear, who noted the contrast between the College's “over and above” motto and a bargaining position that would ultimately leave staff below government-school rates.

For members, however, the message from the day was straightforward: they want Overnewton to remain a great school for students – and that means ensuring it remains a great place for teachers and education support staff to work.