The Workload Agreement: Reps have their say

Two recent events have underlined the importance of a Yes vote for the proposed Victorian Catholic Agreement.

A Level Two Rep training day at the South Melbourne IEU offices offered a chance for participants to inform each other and union staff about the effect of new workload provisions in their schools.

And a Town Hall Zoom meeting of over 175 IEU Reps reinforced that a positive vote on this Agreement is necessary to embed the ground-breaking workload alleviation measures fought for in last year’s No More Freebies campaign.

IEU Industrial Officer Gretta Nicholls reminded Reps on the Zoom that an endorsed Agreement is “a legally enforceable document so the employer is obliged to comply with the terms of the Agreement by law”.

General Secretary David Brear said that, if necessary, the IEU would not hesitate to take employers not adhering to the Agreement to the Fair Work Commission.

A Yes vote makes improved working conditions law. That’s a strong bottom line.

However, improved and expanded use of Consultative Committees can avoid most disputes escalating to Fair Work, and training in how those committees work will be a focus of the implementation phase.

The IEU is confident the benefits of the Agreement will become apparent to employer and employee alike.

“This is the first meaningful attack on workload we’ve had,” said David. “We accept there will be challenges in its implementation, but it is a huge step forward for the entire sector.”

Schools struggling to retain and attract teachers, and over-burdened teachers need stricter measures protecting staff from burn out.

Reps upgrading their skills at the training day were positive about the Agreement.

Keshia-Lee Dean, from St Anne’s College, Kialla, says schools in the Shepparton area all have their own slant on the changes.

“We’re all in the process of implementing it and it looks slightly different in every school in terms of where they’re up to in the process and whether they’ve sorted out all the nuts and bolts, but for the most part it sounds like most schools are trying to work to the 30 plus 8 and adjust as needed.”

Keshia-Lee says the changes will take time, but ongoing “tweaking” will let each school find the arrangements which suit them best.

“I hold on to the hope that the vote is going to be the simplest part of the whole long drawn-out, protracted process. Staff are really interested to find out about it and get more detail, so it’s nice to be able to talk to them about the ins and outs of it and provide some more clarity.

“I know union members are very keen to find out what this is going to look like once we’ve all had our briefings in the next week or two…”

Maureen Vitetta, from Antonine College in Coburg, said many educators in Catholic schools are told teaching is a vocation.

“But vocations don’t pay the bills! I think we need to really focus on people looking after their own wellbeing, and we need a system in place where it's really recognised that that's important.”

Blessed with co-operative and supportive leadership, Maureen says the 30 plus 8 model is already being followed at her school.

“I feel my leadership team and principal are going to implement whatever the EBA says, but the challenge is more about how its interpreted.”

She also feels that the new system will get better over time.

“Once it's been operating for a while possibly because I think well, then you know what’s not acceptable, and you can plan around it a bit better.”

Christina Staunton-Burke, from Antonine College (Cedar Campus) Coburg East, says her members have already participated in three Consultative Committee meetings this year, which means they are clear about the 30 plus 8 model and the 30 hours of teacher-directed time.

“We’ve had the opportunity to go through it. But of course it’s like anything, until it’s ratified and you have the piece of paper and how its working…

“It’s like any implementation, you’d expect you’d have to make a few little adjustments along the way.”

Her primary school members “weren’t too happy a year ago when they protested and sent in their ‘Report Cards’.

But there are fewer issues now.  

As a veteran of 52 years in education, and 8 schools, Christina knows not to take things for granted.

“I’ve been in situations years before where you really had to fight for your meetings.

“As a union member I haven’t had to go into battle like I have previously.”

She recalled VIEU leader Cath Spence telling her, ‘Just see how things go in your school, because things can change’.

“That’s why it’s always good to be a union member. You don’t know what happens. You get a new boss in who comes in to sweep the floor clean and it can cause a lot of trouble.”

Emily Maguire gives the Agreement the thumbs up.

Emily Maguire, Killester College

“Killester College has been amazing in consulting with staff. We have had multiple opportunities to give feedback to leadership and the Consultative Committee in how we will implement changes at our school.

“The main benefits include changes to parental leave and TIL. We are really excited to know that the 10-20% of staff who consistently go above and beyond in their contributions to the co-curricular life of the school will be acknowledged with TIL as well as teachers in general having their work outside of school hours compensated. 

“I have been encouraging the Yes vote because this agreement is a huge step forward. While there is still work to be done, some amazing changes are on the horizon.”

You can find more information on the ‘Workload Agreement’ at: www.ieuvictas.org.au/victorian-catholic-agreement