Uncategorized

Widespread staff shortages in schools and early childhood education now faces another major complication - many education workers can no longer afford to live in their local area. Essential workers including teachers and school support staff are being priced out of the housing market. School staffing is already under immense strain, and it's getting worse as a lack of affordable housing forces staff out of their local communities. Read more here: IEU Speaks on school staff being forced out of local housing We need a sector wide plan from employers, industry and government to build a pathway to affordable housing for [...]

The federal government needs to close the loophole that allows excessive employer responses to lawful industrial action While recent reforms by the federal government have helped bring some balance back to workplace laws, urgent change is still needed to stop employers intimidating union members. The Fair Work Act allows employers to essentially 'lockout' their staff and deny them a full day of work and pay if they participate in partial work bans. The loss of a day's pay for taking even minor work bans of a few minutes duration, as currently threatened in QLD Catholic schools, is manifestly disproportionate and excessive. [...]

Teacher Workload Impact Assessments shouldn't be limited to the NSRA  Work intensification in schools continues to drive teachers away from a job they love. We need a major employer rethink on workload - without real change teacher recruitment and retention measures will have limited success. The federal government is on the right path in their efforts to develop with unions a teacher workload impact tool to apply to all NSRA outcomes. But this important safeguard can go further and should apply to all new government and employer initiatives, not just the NSRA. Read here why work impact tests are needed across [...]

More IEU members to benefit from new bargaining laws Catholic school support staff in Western Australia are the latest IEU members set to benefit from the federal government’s new bargaining laws. The IEU-WA Branch has applied for the first single interest bargaining authorisation to cover multiple employers under new IR laws. Read here about our union’s push for better wages and job security for all education workers: IEU Speaks on WA multi-employer bargaining For too long, feminised occupations and workplaces have been denied access to fair and balanced bargaining. We need to get wages moving and recognise the vital contribution of [...]

IEU submission highlights key threats and opportunities of AI in education Our schools are places of innovation and creativity where new technologies are embraced to benefit student learning; however, IEU members have identified serious issues to be managed in the use of emerging artificial intelligence (AI) programs in education. Read full details here of how AI can be used safely and effectively for school staff and students: IEU Speaks on AI in schools The voice of the profession must be paramount in responding to the threats and opportunities provided by new AI technologies.

Proposed changes to teacher training will better prepare new teachers; however, more support is needed once teachers reach the classroom The reforms proposed to initial teacher education programs contain important changes to how new teachers prepare for a complex and demanding profession. However, these changes are only half the story when it comes to attracting and retaining teachers. New teachers need urgent help to address unsustainable workloads that are forcing so many teachers to leave the profession. Read more here about the repairs needed to keep teachers in the classroom: IEU Speaks on ITE Reforms    

The IEU welcomes the opportunity to attend this week's Ministerial Reference Group to develop a new National School Reform Agreement (NSRA). The NSRA must provide urgent support for overworked school staff and disadvantaged students. We need a smarter delivery of targeted funding to areas of need. Read here about the reforms sought by our union: IEU Speaks on NSRA Priorities  Our nation's schools deserve every resource needed to deliver the best possible education. The NSRA policy framework must give teachers and support staff the tools to make this a reality.  

The IEU welcomes the announcement that Natalie Previtera has been appointed as the new CEO of NGS Super. Natalie Previtera is eminently qualified and experienced to continue the leading role of NGS Super in the non-government education sector. NGS Super plays a vital role protecting the financial future of tens of thousands of IEU members and their families. Read more here: IEU Speaks on appointment of new CEO of NGS Super Our union looks forward to the continuation of a strong and essential relationship with NGS Super under Natalie’s stewardship.

Multi-employer bargaining brings hope for early childhood education workers New bargaining laws coming into effect on 6 June 2023 provide a critical opportunity to better recognise and reward the work of thousands of early childhood education workers. A joint multi-employer bargaining application by the IEU, UWU and the AEU will seek to extend the benefits of collective bargaining to a group of essential workers previously frozen out of the system. Read more here about how this joint union application will provide a better deal for early childhood education teachers and assistants: IEU Speaks on first ECE multi-employer bargaining For too long, [...]

The federal government has begun to deliver on their commitment to repair Australia’s education system. Students, teachers and school staff need the resources and support to ensure equitable and high-quality education in our schools and early childhood education services. Read more here on what the federal budget means for IEU members and our students: IEU Speaks on the Federal Budget  Many challenges remain, but our students and school staff deserve our nation’s complete support.