Update: 10 June 2008

Negotiations with the Catholic employer representatives are continuing albeit slowly and considerable time has been spent at the bargaining table on the issue of principals’ rates, relativities and rates for deputy principals and POLs. VIEU has put draft, without prejudice, positions on each of these matters, and on many other issues, in an attempt to meaningfully progress negotiations. Principal members who attended the meeting at the VIEU office on Thursday 29 May were briefed on the issues and received copies of the proposals on Principals rates. Peter Moran has been attending meetings around the state making every effort to speak to as many Principals as possible.

While it is hard to distill the content of those extensive briefings into an update, it is important that Principals are aware of the issues and what is being considered around Principal wages.

Government Sector Principal Wages
Firstly, exact parity of wages between Catholic Principal rates and Government sector rates does not exist. There is an imprecise nexus between the rates. VGS Principals are paid according to ranges within bands that accord to the 'Student Resource Package', SRP, (formerly the Global School Budget) for their school. Schools of the same enrolment size can give rise to different rates of pay for Principals as the SRP is not merely based on enrolment but also on a range of other equity measures. Information from the Department advises significant enrolment variance and overlap within ranges.

In the proposed VGS Agreement the rates for Principals have been collapsed into 3 levels, each with 2 sub levels. Principals can progress within each level but would need to meet the minimum SRP at the higher level to access that rate. Given the completely different approach to resourcing primary schools in the Catholic sector, an exact comparison is very difficult and in any event, envisages a fundamentally different approach to the Principal classification structure.

Principals’ rates in the Government Sector Proposed Agreement are represented as a total remuneration package (TRP) and include superannuation. VIEU disaggregated these rates to calculate the cash component by calculating 91.7% of the TRP.

The VIEU Proposal
In putting together a proposal for discussion with employers, a number of factors were taken into account.
- Given the current resourcing arrangements for Primary schools, classification structures based on enrolment bands were the best way to go.
- Maintaining an appropriate relativity above the rate for teachers at the top of the scale and others in leadership positions was a priority.
- Maintaining a nexus with the VGS, by using VGS rates was also a priority.
- Reducing the number of pay points and overlapping between bands was preferable.
- Ensuring a fair rate for Principals, that recognises the complexity and responsibility of the role.

All Principal members have been sent the VIEU 'Without Prejudice' Proposal, which collapses the current 7 levels into 4 levels, starting at 91,987 and going to 126,817 in May 2008 and provides for progression through the levels. A 'Follow Your Salary' version was also attached, which allows Principals to find their current level and follow it along the same line to see how salary would move under the VIEU proposal. The VIEU proposal is not set in stone but addresses the points set out above.

Catholic Employer Response
Negotiators for the Catholic employers have promised VIEU a document which is to be tabled on Thursday. It will contain their response on Principal wages. It is only when VIEU sees this document that we will know how far apart we are on reaching agreement about Principal rates, as well as other issues for the claim. In the meantime, VIEU asks you to continue to engage in the discussion and negotiation around your issues and look forward to seeing you at future meetings.

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