Since our initial foundation in the 1950’s as the Assistant Masters’ Association (AMA), the Independent Education Union of Australia NSW/ACT Branch has undergone significant growth and change in its almost 70-year proud history of representing the rights of teachers and support staff in non-government education. Over the years, we have achieved several milestones, facing legislative changes and major campaigns in education. From being known as the AMA, AMMA, ITA and now the IEU, we have grown our membership to more than 32,000 members.
1954
Founded as the Assistant Masters’ Association (AMA)
In 1955, the AMA had 90 members.
1957
Registered as a Trade Union
Struggled for numbers and relevance with membership max of 150
1966
Women admitted and name changed to Assistant Masters’ and Mistresses’ Association (AMMA)
Women and lay teachers in Catholic schools join in significant numbers
1967
AGM decides to seek an Industrial Award
1970
First Award made (Assistant Masters’ and Mistresses’ in Non-Government Schools (State) Award)
1971
First Industrial dispute notified, the issue – teachers required to sweep classrooms
1971
First full-time Secretary (John Nicholson), leased office space at Chatswood. Membership topped 1000.
John Nicholson was Secretary of the union until 1977. He went on to practise as a barrister in industrial, common and criminal law, taking ‘silk’ (senior counsel) in 1994. In 2001, he was appointed as a judge of the NSW District Court. After 2012 Nicholson returned to work at the bar.
1972
Name changed to Independent Teachers’ Association (ITA). Membership is at 1084.
1977
First full-time Organiser appointed (Michael Raper); membership 3954
1980
New Council and Annual Conference structure adopted with new constitution. Membership 5603.
1981
ITA published the very first edition of Newsmonth (Vol 1 No 1).
Membership is 6511 with 12 Branches, a Secretary, Industrial Officer and two Organisers.
November 1981
The Daily Telegraph ran a story describing the ITA as “the fastest growing union in Australia”.
1984
Significant split in Executive and Council over Union direction, Left v Right. Left wins most Executive positions
8 October 1988
Independent Teachers Federation (ITF) registered as a federal union
Towards the end of 1983, the ITF was set up. In early 1984, an application was made to the Australian Conciliation and Arbitration Commission for registration as a federal union. Its application sought rules for coverage of the broadest range of education workers in non-government education institutions. After extensive litigation, federal registration was achieved on 8 October 1988.
1989
Dick Shearman becomes General Secretary. Membership is 14,104.
1989
Federal awards obtained in English colleges and post-secondary sector
1993-94
Union gains coverage of School Assistants then clerical staff at both state and federal levels
1994
Name changed to NSW Independent Education Union. Membership 16,265
24 April 1996
Joint strike: IEU and NSW Teachers Federation
‘Hands were shaken, fraternal greetings exchanged and, shoulder to shoulder, some 12,000 members of the NSW Teachers Federation and the NSW Independent Education Union (IEU) marched on Parliament House in support of their 12 percent pay claim.’ SMH
2006
WorkChoices took effect in March 2006
Increasing activity in federal jurisdiction, particularly in independent schools (ie trading or financial corporations)
2009
NSW government referred IR powers in relation to private sector employers to federal jurisdiction
2012
John Quessy became General Secretary, replacing Dick Shearman
2014
Membership exceeds 32,000
2016
Union operates as NSW/ACT Branch of IEUA rather than state union.
All staff now employed by the Branch and key decisions are made in the Branch not the state union.
2014-2017
Major campaigns in Catholic systemic schools in 2014 (over a proposal by employers to totally rewrite the enterprise agreement).
October 2019
Mark Northam becomes Secretary
2020
A surge in membership occurred in the early months of COVID-19 pandemic
The NSW state registered union (NSW/ACT IEU) is wound up. The union now operates only as a federal entity as a branch of the Independent Education Union of Australia.
2021
IEU seeks to protect members during pandemic
19 April 2021
Historic pay rise decision for early childhood teachers
The Fair Work Commission handed down a decision supporting pay rises of up to 10% for early childhood teachers – the result of an eight-year campaign by the IEU.
2022
Hear Our Voice campaign launched
Wide-ranging successful industrial action takes place across NSW and the ACT. Historic combined strike with the NSW Teachers Federaion.
2023
Historic wins for better working conditions
Salary parity achieved for support staff Record pay rises for teachers.
28 October 2023
Carol Matthews becomes Secretary after Mark Northam steps down.
