Vol. 6 No. 2 May 2012 The newsletter for IEUA-QNT members In this edition • May Day 2012 • Collective Bargaining Updates • The Role of SBU Meetings • IEUA-QNT Social Media • Member Profile, Adene Lea V OICE The Northern May Day 2012 IEUA-QNT members marched in Darwin and Alice Springs as part of May Day celebrations across the Northern Territory. May Day is an important tradition for members in the Northern Territory to celebrate past achievements and make a statement about their aspirations. Members gathered with their family, friends and colleagues to join the marches in Darwin (right) and Alice Springs (below). IEUA-QNT Darwin Organiser Jacques Retief said there was a significant turnout of members of our union which made the day a great success. “It’s great to see so many of our members supporting this great occasion for the union movement,” he said. IEUA-QNT Alice Springs Organiser Nick Holliday said a family barbeque held the day prior to the Alice Springs march was an important opportunity for members to network and celebrate the occasion. Visit www.qieu.asn.au to see more photos and updates from May Day celebrations.
Transcript
Vol. 6 No. 2 May 2012 The newsletter for IEUA-QNT members
In this edition
• May Day 2012
• Collective Bargaining Updates
• The Role of SBU Meetings
• IEUA-QNT Social Media
• Member Profile, Adene Lea
VOICEThe Northern
May Day 2012IEUA-QNT members marched in Darwin and Alice Springs as part of May Day celebrations across the Northern Territory.
May Day is an important tradition for members in the Northern Territory to celebrate past achievements and make a statement about their aspirations.
Members gathered with their family, friends and colleagues to join the marches in Darwin (right) and Alice Springs (below).
IEUA-QNT Darwin Organiser Jacques Retief said there was a significant turnout of members of our union which made the day a great success.
“It’s great to see so many of our members supporting this great occasion for the union movement,” he said.
IEUA-QNT Alice Springs Organiser Nick Holliday said a family barbeque held the day prior to the Alice Springs march was an important opportunity for members to network and celebrate the occasion.
Visit www.qieu.asn.au to see more photos and updates from May Day celebrations.
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Collective Bargaining UpdatesMilkwood Steiner School
Negotiations are well underway at Milkwood Steiner School to secure the school’s first collective agreement. Employee representatives have provided a staff-endorsed log of claims to employer representatives at an SBU meeting.
Over two SBU meetings, employee representatives have made progress on a few key issues. At the next SBU, employee representatives will table a number of clauses for consideration.
Key issues for staff at Milkwood Steiner School include: wage parity with public sector schools in the area, a contemporary services staff classfication matrix, an hours of duty clause, and enhancements to paid parental leave.
It is also important that the agreement, particularly given that it is the school’s first, will reflect the specific context and honour the school’s ethos and philosophy.
Tiwi College
Staff at Tiwi College are also negotiating the school’s first collective agreement. Members of the Tiwi College Chapter Executive Committee, which represents both teaching and boarding house staff, as well as other officers employed by the college have been meeting in recent weeks to prepare an employee log of claims.
The employee log of claims has now been endorsed and is ready to be tabled at the first SBU meeting to be held 19 May. Six members from the college, who will comprise the employee representatives, will complete training prior to the first SBU meeting. These members are to be congratulated on their commitment and efforts in these negotiations.
At this upcoming SBU meeting, employee representatives will table the endorsed log of claims along with a draft outline of the proposed agreement.
Kormilda College
A contemporary collective agreement is now in place at Kormilda College following majority support from staff. At a staff ballot for the proposed agreement, held last month, 65 voted in favour of the document while 52 voted against.
Following implementation of this agreement, a Chapter Executive Committee has been established at the school. This committee will work together with the newly formed Consultative Committee, which was negotiated as part of the agreement. These committees will monitor the implementation of the agreement.
There are still concerns about the management of the college, particularly in relation to allegations of bullying and harassment. Our union has been conducting a survey on the issue to obtain a clear sense of the impact upon staff. These results will allow our union to make a decision about appropriate action to ensure our members are protected.
The Consultative Committee and Chapter Executive are also intended to offer support to staff; it is within staff rights to request the presence of a member of these committees at any meeting with management.
The Essington School
Staff at The Essington School hold concerns over the implementation of their contemporary collective agreement. The new agreement took effect on 7 February; however, management at the school have yet to implement a number of the terms of the document.
Our union has sent a letter to school principal David Cannon, voicing the concerns of our members. We still await a response, and will take further action if this issue is not resolved by school management.
Lutheran Sector
Lutheran sector employees are reaching the final stages of negotiations for a new collective agreement. Boarding house provisions remain as a key outstanding issue for employee representatives.
A boarding house schedule is to be included in the document before the proposed agreement can be put to an employee ballot.
Employer representatives must also finalise their position on a number of matters before this ballot can take place. Our union commends Lutheran sector employees on their persistence through a lengthy negotiation period with the employer.
IEUA-QNT Organiser Jacques Retief with members from Kormilda College
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The Role of SBU Meetings
Single Bargaining Unit (SBU) meetings are the key negotiation opportunities between employee and employer representatives during the collective bargaining process.
These scheduled meetings are a chance for representatives on both sides to table, and invite discussion, around proposals for a contemporary workplace agreement.
SBU meetings are a key way in which our union advocates and secures improved working conditions for our members.
It is important to have engaged and committed members taking part in SBU meetings, however, successful collective bargaining also requires the active involvement of our broader union membership.
To achieve the best negotiated outcome it is essential to have high membership density including engaged members who are committed to working collectively to achieve the desired outcome.
Successful bargaining also requires strategic planning and relevant strategic action; this is a particular focus for bargaining representatives and guides their conduct during SBU meetings.
SBU meetings are a clear example of the collective strength of our union. Without membership density, it is difficult to persuade the employer to concede on key provisions for staff.
Our union has a long history of considered and successful negotiation at the SBU level and it is important for all members to be actively engaged in the process.
SBU meetings conclude when employee and employer representatives are able to agree on the terms of a draft collective agreement.
The draft agreement is then put to an employee ballot and, if a majority of staff vote in favour, is placed with Fair Work Australia to be approved ahead of implementation.
The process of replacing an old, or developing a new, collective agreement is multifaceted and exciting; member engagement in the process, from the very start and beyond, is vital.
SBU meetings are a fundamental component of collective bargaining, and interested members are encouraged to take part.
Interested members should speak with their Organiser to find out more about SBU representation in their chapter.
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IEUA-QNT members take part in SBU meetings as employee representatives
How did you get into the teaching profession?
Teaching is actually the second degree I have studied. I first studied a degree in health science and, after completing this qualification, saw teaching as a great way to combine these two interests. How long you have lived and worked in the Territory?
I have lived and worked in the Territory (Darwin area) since 2003, making this is my 10th year in the Territory. What have been some high points in your career?
During my teaching career I have had the opportunity to meet some wonderful people including colleagues and friends. I have also been able to undertake the position of Junior School Studies of Asia Coordinator which I’ve found challenging and rewarding.
Teaching has also allowed me the opportunity to move to a part of Australia that I otherwise would not have visited. I am very grateful for the experiences that have come along through my teaching career. What are the key issues teachers currently face?
The introduction of the Australian Curriculum is a new challenge that my colleagues and myself face. It is a welcome challenge in that it will assist both teachers and students who travel interstate to know the minimum standards for each year level.
There is a considerable adjustment period involved in this, but I am excited to face the challenges. Do teachers in the Territory face particular issues?
Yes, Territory teachers face issues such as reduced offers of professional
development in comparison to other capital cities.
I think this is a real concern that inhibits the ability to attract and retain teachers to the area. Do you find union membership rewarding?
Union membership is rewarding as it means there’s an organisation that will support my issues when I need help.
It’s great to know that professional advice and support is available and easily accessible. Have your workplace conditions improved directly as a result of your membership?
Yes, our union has recently helped us to finalise my school’s EBA. It helped the staff negotiate conditions needed to assist them with their work load.
This experience really demonstrates the advantages of being a union member in improving workplace conditions. Would you encourage colleagues to join our union?
Yes, I would encourage colleagues to join our union so that they will have access to readily available support.
It is important to have a strong collective voice, so I would encourage my colleagues to become members.
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