MORE than 7500 Catholic school union members in 180 schools across Queensland stopped work this morning over increasing workloads and inequitable wages.
Independent Education Union of Australia – Queensland and Northern Territory Branch Secretary Terry Burke said it was the fifth time Queensland Catholic school employees had taken stop work action as their employers continued to reject employee concerns about workloads and wages
“Our members are committed to providing a rich school experience, but they need adequate time to focus on their core role of educating their students,” he said.
“The employers seem set on keeping their teachers working under these outdated conditions which fail to recognise that teachers’ roles have evolved and expanded over the last 20 years.
Teacher and IEUA-QNT member Andrew Elphinstone said employees had been left no choice but to take further industrial action in their schools given the continued failure of Queensland Catholic school employers to show they care about serious issues in their schools.
“We are taking this action because we care about the working conditions which enable us to provide high quality education to students in Queensland Catholic schools,” Mr Elphinstone said.
“It’s time Queensland Catholic school employers showed that they care too.”
The Queensland Catholic Education Commission has described the stoppages by members as unreasonable.
“This action is not justified in response to a bargaining process that continues to make progress and be conducted in good faith. It is not in anybody’s best interests,” QCEC executive director Dr Lee-Anne Perry said.
Dr Perry said employers had continued to listen to the concerns of employees and had amended their position on a number of workload issues.
“Catholic school employers have shown themselves, over a long period of time, to be responsible employers who want to deliver a fair package for their staff,” she said.
“These stoppages place an extra burden on staff and school administration that everyone can do without.”
Dr Perry said the 3.25 per cent pay increase being sought by the union was out of step with market conditions.
Catholic school employers are offering a 2.5 per cent increase annually over three years.
This matches teachers in State schools who have, from September 1, received the equivalent of a 2.5 per cent increase.
Dr Perry said the 2.5 per cent increase, including back pay, could be paid as soon as the agreement was successfully balloted.
“Time is running short. However, I am hopeful this will be able to occur before Christmas,” she said.
