IEU builds momentum ahead of Catholic sector bargaining in Tasmania

IEU members in Tasmania are gearing up for Catholic bargaining, with a clear set of claims backed by Reps.

In a milestone Council meeting in Hobart on 6 March, Catholic Reps unanimously endorsed the IEU member Log of Claims for Catholic schools. The Log of Claims includes:

·         caps on practical class sizes

·         clearer role definitions

·         improved support for staff working with students with complex needs, in composite classes, or across multiple subjects

·         stronger flexible work rights, including access to work-from-home arrangements.

Reps from 20 sub-branches across Tasmania helped refine the claims to ensure they accurately reflect members’ priorities. This work strengthens the union’s position in bargaining.

The Log of Claims will be served on Catholic Education Tasmania on Wednesday 15 April, where timelines and bargaining protocols will be established. Regular bargaining meetings are expected to commence early in Term 2.

Tasmanian Catholic Reps vote on the Log of Claims

Reps from 20 sub-branches across Tasmania helped refine the claims to ensure they accurately reflect members’ priorities. This work strengthens the union’s position in bargaining.

The Log of Claims will be served on Catholic Education Tasmania early in Term 2, where timelines and bargaining protocols will be established. Regular bargaining meetings are expected to commence from then.

Catholic and Independent Reps attending Council from around Tasmania heard from IEU leaders and officers about key issues shaping upcoming negotiations and the broader industrial context, including AEU work bans and other public sector union actions. Independent school Reps also spent time sharing information about sector bargaining outcomes, developing bargaining skills, and reviewing the Tasmanian industrial landscape.

The IEU continues to show solidarity with ongoing public sector strike action in Tasmania, as unions including the Australian Education Union (AEU) respond to the state government’s failure to deliver fair Agreement offers. A strong outcome for AEU members  ̶  improvements in pay, workload management, and educator safety – sets the industry standard in Tasmania and shapes bargaining for IEU members in both Catholic and independent schools.

With bargaining about to begin, IEU members will continue building support and standing in solidarity with AEU colleagues fighting for a fair future for Tasmanian education workers.