Tasmanian Catholic bargaining: progress and hope!

After an extremely frustrating 2022, the outlook for bargaining in Tasmanian Catholic education is looking much rosier this year.

Following recent staffing changes within the Catholic Education Tasmania employer bargaining ranks, there has been a much more productive tone to discussions this year.

The more constructive relationship has extended beyond the bargaining table. Disputes over Tim Tams appear to be a thing of the past, as do other more serious attempts by employers to hinder the legitimate work of IEU Organisers supporting and representing members. Another important example is the recent settlement of a dispute over the rejection of Communicable Diseases Leave for IEU members who had contracted COVID. As a result of that settlement, CET agreed to review all rejected COVID-related Communicable Diseases Leave applications.

Already, there is real progress in negotiations around workload alleviation measures, salaries for support staff, and parental leave provisions. The AEU Tasmania is campaigning hard for improved outcomes in government schools, and we are liaising with them to ensure that our two unions can work together as far as possible to improve working conditions in schools across Tasmania.

While things are looking up, it is more important than ever that we continue to build the union’s strength.

That’s where members in Tasmanian Catholic schools come in. We need you to discuss the issues in your workplace with your colleagues and encourage them to join your union.

Our primary leverage in Agreement negotiations is strength in numbers. We’re making real progress at the bargaining table at last, but to get the best outcome for staff in Tasmanian Catholic education we need to be able to show that we are strong and united.