Newspaper of the NSW/ACT Independent Education Union (vol 33 #5) August 2013 newspaper of the nsw/act independent education union [vol 31 #7] november
newsmonth Print Post: 225007/0002 â ISSN: 0728-4845
Battle for support staff pay rises p2
Working With Children Check p2 & p11
Professional development gives the edge p14 and p18
Sydney CEO Leave Handbook
CEO Members Take Action NOW
Sydney CEO leave handbook IEU challenges in Fair Work Seldom have we seen such raw and palpable anger as is being expressed by IEU members employed by the Archdiocese of Sydney. At issue is a âLeave Handbookâ issued by the Catholic Education Office which, in tone and content, has alienated employees and done potentially lasting damage to the level of trust members place in their employer, writes IEU General Secretary John Quessy. The document is based on a negative view of staff, a lack of belief in principals to exercise pastoral and professional judgment and an overemphasis on a managerial rather than relational approach to staff interactions. The Union believes the Handbook, which purports to provide employees with advice about the conditions of taking various types of leave, contains serious errors, half-truths and incomplete information. In our view there are more than a dozen places where
it misrepresents our membersâ workplace rights and we are challenging this before the Fair Work Commission. Members have not been shy about expressing their anger at the Handbook, which was released to coincide with a new payroll system. They feel disrespected and insulted at the lack of faith shown to them and many feel they are being accused of rorting available leave. Since first becoming aware of its existence, the Union has raised concerns with the CEO in writing and at meetings. Little has changed and they seem determined to proceed with their distorted view. It is particularly offensive that some members were given the impression that the Union was consulted and had âsigned offâ on the document. This is untrue. Yes, we were consulted late in the process when we found out about the Handbook from members but no, we never signed off on it. At all stages we have complained about the contents of the document. Continued page 3
âIt is an offence under to Fair Work Act to misrepresent employeesâ workplace rights and if proven there are significant potential penalties. If the matter cannot be resolved at the conference stage we will seek legal remedies against Sydney CEO.â
Badge of honour
Anne Comber says she is honoured to be one of the first recipients of the IEUâs inaugural 30-year membership badge. When Anne joined the IEU (then ITA) in 1979, punk rock was in its heyday, Margaret Thatcher had just become the UKâs first female Prime Minister, Russia invaded Afghanistan and Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen was Premier of Queensland. Over the years Anne says sheâs received sterling support for her career from the IEU, and receiving a badge to acknowledge her commitment to the Union was âa lovely gestureâ. Anne is a Year 4 Teacher at St Patrickâs Primary School
A betrayal of trust Domremy College Five Dock is typical of Sydney CEO schools where IEU members who have been asked to vote recently on two major issues, the 2.25% pay rise being offered to support staff and the Sydney CEO Leave Handbook. The 31 members who voted last week in favour of a motion calling for the CEO to withdraw the Leave Handbook and the proposed changes to their payroll system, expressed anger and concern. Domremy College Rep Mark OâSullivan said staff who had been working in the inner west for many years, often providing extra curricular activities for students, felt betrayed by the way the new PHRIS (Payroll and Human Resources Information System) had been introduced. âThe language around this has been very authoritarian and negative. Teachers feel confused about PHRIS, thereâs been no training provided for them,â Mark says. âThe Leave Handbook is difficult for staff because
there was no consultation with the IEU about it. âThereâs been a healthy relationship between the IEU and the CEO up to now, but members feel like that trust has been taken for granted. âItâs like theyâve forgotten thereâs human beings involved here that do need to be respected. âAsking for sick certificates for the third day of sick leave in a year, not consecutive, it makes no sense. âAnd the change to the carerâs leave, so only primary carers are allowed carerâs leave, is not good. A lot of teachers are separated from their partners. Does that mean they are not allowed to care for their kids?â Regarding the support staff pay rise, Mark says itâs a case of âall in it togetherâ and pay rises must be the same for all staff. âIf we accept this for support staff, it could also set a precedent for future pay rises for teachers too.â For more details on the support staff pay rise and Sydney CEO Leave Handbook, see pages 2 and 3.
in Kogarah. She moved to St Patrickâs from St Josephâs Riverwood in 1995. She is now on long service leave in Canada, catching up with friends she made there on teacher exchange in 1992. IEU General Secretary John Quessy says the IEU is proud to acknowledge the support of long-serving members like Anne. âWithout the commitment of such members the Union would not be able to achieve as much as it has. âIt is with much pleasure that we will be thanking all our long-serving members over the coming weeks.â See page 10 for more 30-year badge recipients.