Big win for Launceston Christian School Education Support Staff
The Enterprise Bargaining Agreement at Launceston Christian School covering Education Support Staff Enterprise Agreement has been endorsed by 100% of voting employees.
This outstanding result reinforces the importance of claims aimed at retaining, attracting, and investing in ES staff. The IEU is intensifying efforts to ensure these essential staff are properly classified, fairly compensated, and provided with equitable working conditions.
While this is a major victory for LCS, it also sets a benchmark for similar schools in future negotiations. ES staff play a vital role in education and must be valued accordingly—for their benefit and the success of our schools.
An IEU member at the school said the new Agreement "is a “fantastic step forward” for Education Support Staff at LCS.
“We went into negotiations not really knowing what to expect. We did some research of our own, consulted with our members of staff and went into the meetings full of enthusiasm and nerves!
“Thankfully, we are blessed with a school board and management who really care about their staff and were genuinely invested in finding a happy outcome for all involved. Having said that, negotiations were tough!
“The IEU played a crucial role in strengthening our position, helping us navigate the complex negotiations, and ensuring we achieved fairer wages and conditions. Our Organiser’s behind-the-scenes advice, dedication, expertise, and unwavering support were instrumental in securing a better deal.
“Our Organiser was available for meetings and providing moral support whenever necessary. She was tireless! And by presenting a united front and clearly articulating our goals, we were able to effectively advocate for the changes we wanted.
“The 4% annual increases and reclassification for lower-paid staff will make a real difference.
“Most importantly, this agreement reflects the value of Support Staff in our school community. We are very grateful that the LCS management and board were equally committed to producing an Agreement that shows care and love for its staff.
“We are incredibly grateful to our Organiser and the union for standing with us throughout this process. The overwhelming staff vote in favour (100% voted yes!) of the Agreement shows just how much these changes mean to us, and we couldn’t have done it without them.”
Wins
Highlights of the Agreement include a wage increase aligning with the Victorian Catholic Agreement; a higher hourly pay rate between classification levels 1 and 2 for teacher aides, encouraging skill development; and a one-off payment matching the Tasmanian government school sign-on bonus.
Importantly, the Agreement clarifies career progression for education staff, ensuring automatic annual sub-level progression within their classification and the opportunity to apply for reclassification to a higher level if they meet most requirements.
The new wording of the performance management process now matches the Agreement covering teachers at LCS, improving equity and consistency in the workplace where previously it impeded progression for ES staff.
Other Successful Claims:
Refund for mandatory Working with Vulnerable People certification.
Family and Domestic Violence Leave increased to 15 days.
Exceptional Personal Circumstances Leave wording aligned with the teacher EA.
Compassionate Leave increased to 5 days, including miscarriage and stillbirth.
Paid Parental Leave increased to 14 weeks; paid partner leave to 2 weeks, matching CEMEA.
Improved redundancy provisions exceeding NES, modelled after the Teacher EA (TICS).
Vehicle Allowance increased to $0.88/km per ATO rates.
Paid New Staff Induction.
Easter Tuesday public holiday recognized (previously ES staff took LWOP while teachers did not).
Clarification that Student Free Days are paid.