The Independent Education Union (IEU) is calling for pay rises for teachers in private schools to “maintain the traditional premium” of wages that are five to seven per cent above the salaries for teachers in the public system.
In a statement released by the IEU today, the union noted the unprecedented 8 per cent pay rises to teachers in NSW government schools and Catholic systemic schools last September by the government in an attempt to overcome the workforce crisis.
“For many teachers in independent schools, pay rates in enterprise agreements are now lower than those for teachers in government schools,” the statement read.
For that reason, union branch secretary Carol Matthews said the union is now seeking “that the Association of Independent Schools NSW match the government rates for all teachers and maintain the traditional premium of 5 to 7 per cent.”
“Some working conditions in this sector have traditionally not been regulated, such as face-to-face teaching hours, extras, playground duties and other requirements,” she said. “And there is no portability of benefits between schools – so the premium recognises this.”
The IEU, which represents over 32,000 teachers, principals and support staff in the 250 Catholic and independent schools in NSW and ACT said that the new three-year multi-enterprise agreements would cover more than 26,000 employees, including teachers and support staff.
“We’ve had three bargaining meetings so far, but there’s still no pay or conditions offer on the table,” Matthews said.
“Our members in independent schools have seen their colleagues in other schools and systems campaign successfully for big pay rises and better conditions, so now’s the time for independent school employers to step up and recognise the work of staff through well-deserved improvements.”
“We stand united for a whole new deal for all staff in AIS schools.”
The union is also calling for clearer processes around promotions and flexible work arrangements, clearer school-based standards to combat unsustainable workloads, boosting parental leave and for the right for staff to have the Fair Work Commission determine workplace disputes.
“Staff in independent schools are struggling under unsustainable workloads,” the statement read. “The union seeks clear, school-based standards around face-to-face teaching hours, the number of meetings, extra classes and playground duties, as well as requirements for attendance at weekend activities. Employers must implement the newly legislated right to disconnect.”
Matthews previously told the Herald the “right to disconnect means that when a teacher is not required to be at work or undertaking other designated duties, they are free to switch off outside of normal school hours”.
One study from Monash in 2022 found that teachers work much longer hours than workers in comparable professions with a similar level of qualifications. A IEU State of the Union survey from last year revealed that 68 per cent of teachers regularly or always take work home or work during evenings, weekends and holidays, while almost half reported regularly feeling stressed or overwhelmed by work expectations.