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Democracy in Action - VIEU Council: 17 May The biggest ever joint meeting of VIEU Councils (Independent, Catholic Secondary, Catholic Primary and Principals) met on Saturday 17 May, bringing together almost 200 Reps from Independent and Catholic schools to receive a full briefing on the state sector draft agreement and wages deal and discuss its ramifications for the Catholic and independent sectors.
Keynote speaker Mary Bluett, AEU Victorian President, presented an overview of the AEU campaign and negotiations with the state government, explaining in detail the ‘in principle’ agreement. As you would expect interest from members was high as the agreement sets the statewide industry benchmark that will directly impact on the likely wages outcome in Catholic sector negotiations and for independent schools seeking to maintain relativity with state sector colleagues. The wages deal level sets out a scale of 11 pay points, down from 12, as well as providing significant increases for those beginning teaching and those at the top of the scale. After the keynote, Mary Bluett responded to questions from the floor that sought clarification of the impact of the proposed deal, with some interest focusing on the length of the scale and members currently classified in the middle. Mary finished her address to sustained applause from Reps and Observers.
General Secretary Deb James, unpacked the AEU deal for VIEU members drawing comparisons between the proposed AEU incremental scale and the current scale in Catholic schools. Deb also reported on progress in negotiations with Catholic employers, likely timelines for the completion of any agreement and implications for independent schools.
After the joint meeting Reps moved into their respective councils, Catholic Primary, Catholic Secondary, Principals and Independent Schools, to discuss the public sector agreement. Reps reported that members were strongly supportive of the increases for experienced and beginning teachers agreed in the public sector and that members were extremely committed to flowing on these increases in our sector. However Reps were concerned that SSO and SO increases had not yet been finalised in the government sector particularly as a central feature of bargaining in Catholic and independent schools has been the achievement of equivalent increases for non-teaching classifications.
Follow the links below to documents circulated at Council.
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