speeches from protest - Friday 7 March

John McKenzie: Galen College, Wangaratta

I joined the union 28 years ago when it was called ATVCSS. That was in the days when we were a lot less succinct and still a little timid about calling ourselves a union. At the time a neighbouring Principal said that it was fine to join the association for the social benefits, but to leave the industrial stuff to the CEO. He said trust us we’ll look after you.

If I’d taken that advice:
I’d still be teaching over 40 kids in a science laboratory with no lab assistant
I’d still be doing 25 hours face to face teaching not including homeroom or assemblies
I’d still be offered a couple of periods off and no money to take on significant positions of leadership
I’d still have some of my sick leave paid at half payI’d still have to watch female colleagues resign to take maternity leave. Paternity leave? You would have to be joking
And I’d still be paid way below what Victorian state teacher’s are getting, let alone what NSW is getting.

Not one single improvement in conditions in catholic schools has been handed over by a benevolent employer who recognised that it was the right thing to do. Every step forward was fought for and won by union members who took united action to improve their conditions of employment. And that’s why it’s so important that we are here today.

Every now and then a watershed moment occurs in a profession’s history. This is ours. If we don’t fight and win this battle then we risk entrenching a culture that Victorian Catholic schools are seen as a second-class education system in the Australian context.

Living in the North-East I see first hand what a $10,000 pay difference is doing to Victorian border schools. Both experienced and talented young teachers are now voting with their feet and moving North where their skills are more highly valued.

A Brumby government offer that keeps graduate and experienced teachers at the bottom of the dung heap as well as offering an effective pay cut is simply pathetic.

Do we really want teaching in catholic schools to become the profession of last resort, where our best and brightest young teachers simply pass through on their way to bigger and better things? Teachers, students and parents in catholic schools deserve better.

This is the first campaign where I’ve felt that the force is with us. Galen’s Principal, Dave Seiter, has been supportive of staff and has been at pains to point out the injustice of the current situation with parents and in the local media. Parents overwhelming see the inherent unfairness of the Brumby Governments position and many have made the effort to express their concerns to us directly.

Finally it would seem that even the CEO is with us. That wonderful letter explaining how to make a legal and moral decision about today’s political protest worked a treat. At Galen it meant that overnight we added 10 members to the sub-branch and turned strong support for today’s action in to an avalanche. We know what’s right and what’s just. That’s why were here.