Mowbray 190609

Pay Rates - Catholic Schools Catholic Award Catholic Agreement 2008 Catholic Memorandum of Understanding Independent Schools Other Old Awards Collective Agreements Annual Review Meetings - Catholic Parental Leave - Catholic

School Info

Non-Government School Listing PRD Schools Term Dates

Health and Safety

Health & Safety Representatives Provisional Improvement Notice Risk Assessment Table Hazards at Work - Heat Hazards at Work - Bullying Hazards at work - Occupational Violence OH&S Training 2010

Social Justice

Social Justice Anti-Poverty Week Barry Wood Memorial Award

Member Services

Union Assist Legal Support VIEU Training

Training Calendar 2010 Reps Training 2010 Leadership Training 2010 ESS Training 2010 Teacher Training 2010 Women Training 2010 OH&S Training 2010 Student Teacher Training 2010 Training Registration Cancellations Policy OH&S Cancellations Policy Members First Policy

Consumer Benefits ME Bank Health Benefits Publications

IEU Disability Discrimination Guide

Anna Stewart Project Clara Weekes Jan Bavinton Project

Policy and Submissions News Archive 2010

Mowbray Makes History

VIEU members at Mowbray College have taken what is believed to be the first strike action ever in an independent school on 17 June when they held a four hour stop work outside the school gates. In more than 160 years of independent schools, management has never performed so poorly as to drive staff to such a response.

The College has reneged on verbal and written commitments about the dates for pay increases in the proposed new collective agreement. It has also failed to meet its obligations to ensure pay rates don’t fall below government schools. In a protracted process of unsatisfactory meetings, the employer finally stopped meeting at all with staff elected representatives who wanted to try and negotiate a fair outcome. This lead to a ballot of all VIEU members on 5 June where more than 90% voted in favour of a stop work.

Shortly after the ballot, the College finally came back to the negotiating table. They then promised not to put a proposal directly to staff without the agreement of the negotiating committee. Within two days they reneged on that commitment as well. Members then took industrial action – for most of them it was the first time ever.

The management proposal got the response it deserved: On Friday 19 June staff (including non-union members) soundly voted it down.
Members are demanding that their employer start to act with some integrity and honesty. Specifically, they want management to honour express commitments made. As we go to press, staff at the College are angry and disappointed, and are supported by many parents and students in their determination to stand up for the principles of genuine consultation and honesty. The college has no new industrial agreement, and members are preparing for what might be the second-ever strike in an independent school. Staff turnover is high and those left behind have little faith in the ability of management to run the College. Repeated offers by VIEU to help repair the damage and reach genuine agreement have not been taken up.

We’ll keep you posted.

Read press release: here

<<back