“What are the bosses scared of?”: IEU members on the SIA campaign

When asked about the campaign for an SIA in Victorian Catholic education, IEU stalwarts from very different cohorts and regions concurred on one thing: how disappointing it is to work for an employer that treats their staff with such a lack of respect.

Education Staff member, metropolitan

“There is nothing in it (‘EB25’) for education support staff”

Wilma has been working in education support for nearly 16 years.

She says it’s vital that employers understand the plight of workers dealing with children who have complex medical needs, such as diabetes.

She says support staff caring for these children are paid “an absolute pittance” – as little as $20 a week extra.

“These staff perform critical tasks, like checking blood sugar levels, giving insulin injections, undergoing extra training, and constantly monitoring students. They may sit with children who have had hypoglycaemic incidents, with blood glucose levels as low as two, which could lead to a diabetic coma. Despite this responsibility, support staff are paid very little.

“In the union’s log of claims, they are asking for a $5,000 allowance for support staff required to care or support for students on health care plans. I believe this is entirely reasonable and worth fighting for. This claim is not addressed in the so-called offer from the employers – there is nothing in it for education support staff. At my school, we have about 10 support staff. Most of us are at level two, many at the top of level two, with no clear pathway to progress further.”

Despite working in both the classroom and the library, under the direction of the teacher and independently in the library, Wilma’s pay is the same in both roles.

“Many other trained library technicians are in the same situation, paid the same regardless of the responsibilities they take on. This feels unfair.”

“Overwhelming” pressure from employers

Wilma says the pressure applied by employers has been “overwhelming”.

“We were bombarded with emails urging staff to ‘sign up or else’, implying they’ll get nothing and will have to wait for years (for a pay rise). For some staff, especially those in financial need, this creates pressure to accept.”

Wilma says the employers should support the IEU’s SIA application immediately.

“There is clear support for an SIA. We need industrial protection to fight for our rights in schools. What exactly are the employers afraid of?”

Primary school teacher, metropolitan

“A really great moment”

Rachael has been teaching for 27 years in primary schools, and she’s seen lots of changes in the system, especially around bargaining.

“Personally, it’s so exciting to see the momentum around our SIA application and how quickly it has moved. I’m proud to be a member and to witness the power of staff in Catholic education across Victoria. It’s a really great moment.

A simple message for the VCEA

“They should give us an SIA to give us the same rights that staff in every other education system in Australia has. We are the only system without that protection, and we deserve the same equity and equality. It’s frustrating that we still don’t have it – just grant it! They should also implement the 7% pay rise and bonus they’ve offered. If it’s available, why can’t we have it?

Workplace conditions

Rachael is concerned that the employers’ so-called “offer” ignores classroom conditions.

“In the primary sector, the increase in challenging behaviours and classroom management demands has greatly increased our workload, especially for young teachers – and even for experienced teachers like myself.”

The Secondary teacher, regional

VCEA fear and panic

Lisa, a secondary teacher in the Sandhurst Diocese, asked “why is the VCEA so scared of an SIA?”

“What is it that worries them about us having the right to protected industrial action? I think this is really the sticking point for them. They blow a lot of hot air about other things, but the real concern seems to be that we might exercise our right to protected industrial action, which is our right as workers to stand up for what is fair and just. Why are we the only sector denied this?

“It’s very confusing for staff to see so much email spam from the VCEA. There seems to be a lot of panic, and they shouldn’t be worried – they should be focused on protecting our rights as workers and giving us what we need to do our jobs properly.

“As teachers, we've been putting up with working conditions that take advantage of our goodwill.”

Respect for teachers

“Teachers across the sector need better pay. We haven’t been paid enough or recognised for our contribution to society. Teaching hasn’t been treated as a profession as worthy as others.

“Conditions are getting worse: we are asked to do more and more administrative tasks, the class sizes are larger, and expectations keep increasing, while the hours haven’t decreased.

“The last Agreement started to address some of this, which was a relief, but there’s still so far to go. The old model of education is being asked to do more without adjusting the conditions to match.”

Secondary teacher, metropolitan

“EB25” is about the employer, not the employees

Marcus is “disappointed” with the VCEA’s proposal, dubbed “EB25”.

“I think it’s insulting to teachers’ intelligence. All we need is to get the SIA so that our representatives can sit down and have meaningful conversations about what teachers need, what the industry needs, and how to attract new teachers.

“The VCEA could have applied for this SIA a long time ago, to give us the same rights as staff in other Catholic education sectors in the country have. It’s disappointing that they haven’t done so themselves.”

He says bargaining is important because it ensures the involvement of the union – which represents and protects employees’ interests.

“The EB25 feels like it’s all about the employer, not the employees. We want the IEU to sit down with the VCEA, have proper discussions, and ensure that bargaining reflects what’s in our interest.”

Supporting support staff

Marcus says one of the key issues that needs attention is ensuring support staff receive fair pay and improved working conditions.

“Many are some of the lowest-paid people in our sector, and they need to be properly looked after. EB25 doesn’t go far enough to support them, and this must be addressed as part of collective bargaining.

“Phenomenal” SIA support

Marcus says the response to the SIA campaign at his school – and across the sector – has been “phenomenal”.

“The IEU acted quickly to get the SIA into the Fair Work Commission, and it shows that people in schools are behind it. In just a few weeks, the majority of staff at more than 20 employers are already on board. This groundswell of support is vital and demonstrates that staff are supporting the union’s approach.”