In late December 2024 the union reached agreement with the Association of Independent Schools (AIS) on new multi-enterprise agreements (MEAs) to apply to teachers and professional and operational staff in NSW and the ACT.
The MEAs will have a three-year term, expiring in January 2028.
Votes of employees to endorse the MEAs were held in about 240 schools in the last week of February. A YES vote was carried across all employers. The AIS has now lodged the MEAs with the Fair Work Commission for approval, anticipated in the coming weeks.
Implementation of new MEAs
As soon as the MEAs are approved by the Fair Work Commission, the IEU expects that schools will start paying the new rates.
The union successfully achieved a guarantee that the improved pay rates would be back paid to the first pay period commencing on or after 1 February 2025. However, it may take employers a short while to process the new pay rates and classifications. If you are concerned about a delay or consider that your new pay or classification is incorrect, do not hesitate to contact the union.
Schools will also need to comply with the new workload transparency requirements – that is, advise teachers about the usual face-to-face teaching hours per week or per cycle, general requirements in relation to extracurricular duties and the release time provided for teachers in Leadership Level 1 and Level 2 positions.
Stronger together
We achieved these wins because of the tireless work of IEU reps and members. Make sure you ask your colleagues who aren’t members to join us. Together we are stronger.