As they continue to oppose the campaign for fair bargaining rights in Victorian Catholic education, employers have performed a numerical backflip worthy of a Winter Olympics ski jumper by suggesting that their workforce has inflated from under 35,000 to 45,000!

As they continue to oppose the campaign for fair bargaining rights in Victorian Catholic education, employers are now suggesting that their workforce has inflated from under 35,000 to 45,000.

It is only thanks to recent union-won amendments to the Fair Work Act that we can legally pursue a Single Interest Authorisation – and as this year has demonstrated, winning one is no easy feat.

The IEU has secured majority support at all major school employers for its historic Single Interest Authorisation (SIA) campaign in Victorian Catholic education, with the final groups passing 50% this week.

The IEU enters the final week of its historic Single Interest Authorisation (SIA) campaign in Victorian Catholic education seeking as many statements of support as possible.

This has been an extraordinary year for our union – marked by an unprecedented attempt by the Victorian Catholic employers to go behind our backs to land a ‘deal’ before negotiations on a new multi-employer Agreement could even begin.

Bargaining under an SIA is now the only realistic path forward, so sign a Statement of Support (SOS) so that negotiations can proceed with full and fair bargaining rights for staff.

The IEU has lodged a Single Interest Authorisation (SIA) application with the Fair Work Commission (FWC). It’s a big moment, but it’s important to realise it’s not the finish line in the fight for fair bargaining in Victorian Catholic education.

History is in the making: today the IEU has applied to the Fair Work Commission for a Single Interest Authorisation (SIA) for bargaining in the Victorian Catholic education sector after an outstanding response to the union’s campaign for fair bargaining rights.  

Employers have suddenly announced a so-called “first and final offer” — a move aimed at bypassing the IEU and avoiding genuine bargaining with staff.

Victorian Catholic school employers, represented by the VCEA, have written to all staff announcing a purported “Enterprise Bargaining Offer” ahead of negotiations for a new four-year agreement.

Thirteen Reps and members from Geelong Catholic schools met in late September to discuss the SIA Statement of Support campaign, highlighting the region’s role as a driving force in IEU activism.

The IEU is urging all staff in Victorian Catholic education to sign a statement of support for its Single Interest Authorisation (SIA) application — a step essential to ensure fair bargaining for pay rises and urgent workplace improvements.

It’s a new process and a technical one, but it’s amazing how quickly Victorian Catholic school staff are catching on to why an SIA SOS is needed ASAP!

ACTU Secretary Sally McManus is urging staff in Victorian Catholic schools to “make history” to win essential rights for bargaining.

The IEU Victorian Catholic Council has formally endorsed the Log of Claims for a new Agreement, intensifying the push for a Single Interest Authorisation to ensure fair and effective bargaining.

Victorian Catholic school salaries lag far behind the rest of the country, creating staffing crises as cost-of-living pressures grow.