Questions and Answers

VIEU will add to these questions over the coming days.  Members who need further clarification should, in the first instance, speak to their Rep, and Reps who need additional info should contact their VIEU Organiser.
 
Q. When do the new pay rates take effect?
A. The increases and any translation to new salary scales will take effect from the first full pay period on or after 1 May 2008.  Pay periods may be slightly different from school to school but this is the exact date of effect in the government sector and will apply in Catholic education.

Q. When will we actually get paid?
A. VIEU has negotiated with the Catholic employers that back pay and new rates will flow from the next pay date after the Date of Lodgement of the Agreement with the Workplace Authority.  Ratification by VIEU members and then the separate subsequent formal process of endorsement of the full Multi-Employer Agreement by all employees should together take between 6 – 8 weeks.  The Agreement must pass certain tests by the Workplace Authority and then a notice is issued.  The Agreement takes effect 7 days after the Workplace Authority issues a notice of approval.

Q. What if I resign before the date of lodgement?   
A. Even though the Agreement provides for increased rates of pay that will be effective from May, it only provides those increased rates to persons actually employed by the employer at the time the Agreement was lodged (23 September 2008). (Answer amended for clarity 7 October)

Q. What if I am on leave without pay at the time of the Agreement being approved?
A. If you are on approved leave from your employer such as leave without pay or unpaid parental leave or unpaid sick leave, you are still employed.  If there was any period between May and back pay day for which you were paid, then your employer will back pay you for that period at the higher rate.

Q. What’s the story with the lump sum amounts?
A.The lump sum amounts will be paid as set out in the pay tables to employees employed at the time the Agreement is approved.  If you are on unpaid leave when this happens, and you would otherwise have received a lump sum amount, you will receive it upon return to your workplace if you return during the life of the Agreement.  If you do not return during the life of the Agreement, you will not receive the lump sum amounts.  The lump sum amounts will be paid pro rata for part-timers. If you commence work after the Agreement is approved, you will not be eligible for the lump sum amount.

Q. Who moves to the new E4 at $75500?
A. All Level 2-1 and 2-2 teachers and all teachers who have been at 1-12 for more than 12 months will move to this Level with effect from May 2008.  If you have been on Level 1-12 for less than 12 months, you will translate to E3 and will need to complete a year of service at that level before you can increment to E4.
This is a little complicated by the introduction of the new common progression cycle from May 2009.  Let’s say you progressed to 1-12 at the start of the school year in 2008. You will have completed 12 months service at that level (even though it will now be called E3) at the start of the school year in 2009.  However, from the start of 2009 progression will occur from 1 May each year.  You will then progress to E4 from 1 May but you will be compensated because you will have been at your salary subdivision for more than 12 months. 
Note however that if you move to Level 1-12/E3 during 2008, you will move to E4 in May 2009 even though you have not completed 12 months at this level.

Q. What is the common progression cycle?   
A. Employees who are not at the top of the scale and are still progressing through pay points will be affected by this change.  Instead of employees moving through to the next level on the completion of 12 months service, everyone will move from 1 May each year.  In 2008, everyone progresses as usual on their anniversary date but from 2009 and every year thereafter it will happen from May.  So, if you progressed to a higher subdivision from the start of Term 4 in 2008, you will progress again in May 2009 even though you haven’t completed 12 months.  If you progressed at the start of the school year in 2008, you will have to wait until May 2009 before progressing.  You will receive a transitional payment for the wait.

Q. If you haven’t worked a full year do you get to move up in May or do you have to wait until the next May?
A. As long as you have worked no less that four months in the preceding 12 months you will progress in May.

Q. Exactly who gets compensation from moving to the common progression cycle?
A. Any employee who would have progressed in January, February, March or April in 2009 and who as a result of having to wait until May to progress to the next level will be compensated the difference between the old rate and the new rate for each day served in excess of 12 months at the lower level.

Q. What about part-timers and the common progression cycle?
A. Currently part-timers working less than .4 have their experience ‘discounted’ so that they have to work longer at their level before achieving the equivalent of a year’s service to enable them to progress.  Under the new arrangements they will progress each May provided they have worked at least four months in the preceding 12 months. 

Q. What happens to Graduate teachers who start at the beginning of the school year?  When do they progress?
A. They will wait until the May of their second year before moving to G2 but will receive a set amount of compensation for the wait.  The amounts are the same as those in government schools and will be set out in the Agreement. 

Q. When does the new Maternity Leave payment apply?
A.The 14 weeks will be effective from the date of effect of the Agreement, that is, approval by the Workplace Authority.  Subsequent maternity leave payments will only apply if you have returned to work for 42 weeks or four school terms either full time or part time.  There will no longer be any payment for subsequent confinement without a return to work.  If you are on a second or subsequent pregnancy without a return to work, the previous 6 week payment will only operate if the child is born prior to the date of effect of the Agreement. 
   


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