Update: 23 July 2008

Thanks to the many Reps who have already advised of their attendance this Saturday at Council.  If you have not already let us know, please email today and advise us of your availability. If you are unable to attend, you can send a proxy in your place.

A full report on negotiations for the proposed Agreement will be provided at the meeting. Below is a brief summary of the key issues.

1.       Pay
Parity of wages has been agreed between the parties, with back payment to the first pay period on or after 1 May 2008.  Sign up payments consistent with those in VGS will also be paid. 

2.      Translation structure for teachers
The translation scale will be consistent with that in VGS.  A common incremental date of May has been proposed by the employers, with the same compensatory payments as those in VGS.   More detail will be provided at the meeting about how the new Graduate, Accomplished and Expert classifications would be applied in the Catholic system.
 
3.      Conditions
Key to the proposed Agreement is the maintenance of existing conditions.  All employer claims regarding varying school holidays, changing sick leave entitlements, and making teacher progression through the scale non-automatic, have been withdrawn.  However changes have been made to the structure of the Consultative Committee to reflect VGS arrangements.

4.  Other agreed matters are:

• 14 weeks paid parental leave;
• Access to long service leave after 7 years and increasing the gap in service allowed to 2 years.  Cashing out of up to 10 weeks LSL will also be accessible;
• New definition of consultation in the Consultative Committee;
• New provision for additional support for classes above 26 in P-2 and 28 in 3-12;
• A MoU between the parties to investigate the issues around dealing with difficult students and parents;
• New caveat in due process proceedings to protect employees;
• Increases to various allowances for SOs and SSOs

5.   Remaining issues
The VIEU negotiators are still meeting frequently to resolve outstanding issues – in particular, how to deal with the requirements of the Workplace Relations Act regarding hours of work.  The Council meeting will be advised of the outcome of these negotiations.

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