History

The History of VIEU

The Victorian Independent Education Union (VIEU) was created in 1994 through the amalgamation of associations representing staff in Independent and Catholic schools, but the history of VIEU can be traced back seventy-five years prior to that. It is a history defined by a constant struggle for improvements in conditions, and all of the benefits enjoyed by staff in today’s schools stand as testament to the men and women who devoted so much time over the years to achieving them. The chronology below identifies the key events that have determined the current role of VIEU in the non-government sector. 

2001
New three-year Certified Agreement in Catholic schools (including Level 2) begins. School Services Officer Award introduced in Catholic schools. 

2000
New VIEU Council structure created. SES funding model for schools introduced. 

1999
VIEU gains coverage of support staff (grounds/maintenance/cleaners/bus drivers) in Catholic and Independent schools. 

1998
Independent schools’ award stripped back to 20 allowable matters. 

1997
Wages dispute continues in Catholic schools…stopworks, work bans and a picket outside the CEO finally lead to parity. Some Catholic schools remove payroll deductions. New award structure for school officers in Catholic schools achieved. 

1996
Catholic wages campaign for parity with government schools begins. Stopwork meetings held. First federal award introduced in Independent schools. 

1995
The Victorian Catholic Schools and Catholic Education Offices Certified Agreement (1995) introduced. 

1994
VIESA, SACSS and VCPSA amalgamate to form the Victorian Independent Education Union (VIEU). Federal award created for Catholic schools and an interim federal award created for all Independent schools previously covered by the state award. Enterprise bargaining begins in Independent schools. 

1993
VIESA, SACSS, and VCPSA move to 120 Clarendon Street. Leading Teacher (Classroom) Level 2 is introduced in Independent schools. State awards are abolished by the Kennett government and a federal award campaign begins. 

1992
Jurisdiction of Catholic Conciliation and Arbitration Board extended to cover clerical and administrative staff and the Advanced Skills Teacher classification is introduced in Catholic schools. 

1991
VATIS becomes the Victorian Independent Education Staff Association (VIESA). VCPSA amalgamates with the Principals Association (Primary). 

1990
Leading Teacher (Classroom) Level 1 introduced in Independent schools. 

1989
Salary levels for ancillary staff in Independent schools added to the Award. 

1988
Award conditions introduced for ancillary staff in Independent schools. The Independent Victorian Education Superannuation Trust (INVEST) established, mainly for the 3% industry superannuation payment. First award achieved for non-teachers in Catholic schools. 

1987
First awards achieved for teacher aides and Principals in Catholic schools. 

1986
The coverage of the Conciliation and Arbitration Board in Independent schools is extended to include ancillary staff. 

1985
VATIS appoints its first permanent paid officer. The first Registered Agreement is achieved in Catholic schools. The Teachers (Catholic Schools) Board becomes the Education Service (Catholic Schools) Conciliation and Arbitration Board.

1984
The Teachers (Catholic Schools) Award, consisting only of salary clauses, comes into effect. 

1983
The Teachers (Independent Schools) and Teachers (Catholic Schools) Conciliation and Arbitration Boards are established. The Teachers (Girls’ Schools) Award becomes the Teachers (Independent Schools) Award (with some schools exempted from the Award). 

1982
The staff of St Anne’s and Gippsland Grammar School (STAGGS) apply for the establishment of a Conciliation and Arbitration Board to cover teachers in all Independent schools in Victoria. 

1981
VATIS gains an award clause providing long service leave after 10 years for teachers in Independent girls’ schools. 

1980
After an application by VATIS, a clause granting up to 12 months of unpaid maternity leave is inserted into the Teachers’ (Girls’ Schools) Award. 

1975
The AMAV and ATIS amalgamate to form the Victorian Association of Teachers in Independent Schools (VATIS). 

1974
In the Catholic sector, the Association of Teachers in Victorian Catholic Secondary Schools (ATVCSS) and the Victorian Catholic Primary Teachers’ Association (VCPTA) are formed. From now until 1985 conditions of service are regulated by in-house boards established by the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria (CECV). 

1973
The VAMA becomes the Association of Teachers in Independent Schools (ATIS), with female teachers eligible to join. 

1971
Teachers in registered girls’ schools achieve equal pay with their colleagues in the Education Department. 

1947
Teachers’ (Girls’ Schools) Award comes into effect on 1 January, for the first time establishing minimum standards of pay and conditions for teachers in girls’ schools. 

1946
Teachers’ (Girls’ Schools) Board established to determine minimum rates of pay for teachers in Victorian registered girls’ schools. 

1921
Assistant Mistresses’ Association of Victoria (AMAV) formed to deal with conditions in girls’ schools. 

1919
Victorian Assistant Masters’ Association (VAMA) established to address the conditions applying to male teachers in registered boys’ schools.