Catholic Claim

View the Presentation to Council (17 May): Click here

For Vic Government Salary Scales 2008 - 2011: Click here

For the detailed AEU-Government Agreement: Click here

For the CECV List of Negotiation Items: Click here

See the VIEU-Tube video of the 7 March action: Click here

May 2008

The Day of Protest on 7 March was the most powerful protest taken to date by VIEU members and we should be proud that the government is back at the bargaining table. Those negotiations are continuing however there is yet to be a significant breakthrough. This is why we need to keep up the pressure.

Currently VIEU is co-ordinating meetings between delegations of VIEU members, and Labor members of Parliament. The purpose of these meetings is to ensure that every MP is aware of and held accountable for the wages issue facing teachers of students in their electorates. The first of these meetings is coincidently with the Education Minister, Bronwyn Pike, in her capacity as the Member for Melbourne.

Parent Postcards

The next phase of our campaign builds on the strong community support already behind this campaign. Postcards for parents to sign and send to the Premier have beens sent to all schools. Not only will these postcards 'send a message' to Mr Brumby, they will also inform and further engage parents in our campaign. The postage is paid and VIEU will be able to track how many are sent. All parents need to do is sign it and pop it in the mail.

Principals have been strongly behind the wages campaign and many have already expressed support for the postcard campaign by agreeing to distribute them with the schools newsletter. If you experience any difficulty with getting these postcards out to parents, contact your VIEU organiser.

Further information for parents about the postcard campaign is available here.

VIEU members stand up
Friday's protest was a clear demonstration of the commitment and determination of VIEU members. Numbers exceeded expectation and the mood was certainly both energetic yet focussed on the task ahead. Particular acknowledgement and thanks must go to those members who travelled in from the country to join in the protest and to those who participated in the events in Wodonga, Mildura, Warnambool and Sale.

What a great day it was! Damien Callinan's 'insights' into Premier Brumby as a teacher and his innovative 'liturgical protest movements' were ten minutes of supreme comedy. The powerful and personal speeches from VIEU members Claudia Tascone, John McKenzie, Kylie Busk and Maureen Shembrey stood as testament to the strength of our union collectively.

The motion that was passed unanimously commits us all to continue to put pressure on the state government, and we will do so over the coming weeks. Our strength and resolve were further shown outside Parliament House as we sent some very direct and very loud messages to the Premier.

Apologies to those who were locked out of Dallas Brooks Hall and thanks for your patience. We had a prior understanding that any overflow would be able to watch the meeting on screens in the foyer but the sheer numbers streaming in began to concern the Hall manager. Thanks must also go to Damian Callinan for his above and beyond duty repeat performance to those outside on the steps.

Many members commented on the success of the day and on the energy and enthusiasm evident in the mood of the crowd. It really was a fantastic experience and all VIEU staff are proud and privileged to have been part of it.

Every person there will rightly be able to lay claim to being part of history and to standing together for the future of the profession. The real test of the effects of our protest will be in the attitude of the state government over the coming weeks. Thanks again for your support and VIEU look forward to working with you now to bring the message home to every member of this Government.

• view photos of the day
• read speeches from the day: John McKenzie : Claudia Tascone : Kylie Busk
  
• read resolution from the day
  

Other Activities in the Campaign
The day of action is not the only action being undertaken in pursuit of a fair outcome for the profession. We have begun the lobbying of local members of Parliament by delegations of members and a parent protest postcard to be forwarded to Mr Brumby is being organised. Organisers will be in contact with Reps directly on support and participation in these actions.

Background

Fighting for the Future of the Profession
With no movement on wages for teachers by the Brumby government we start this year off as the lowest paid teachers in the country and earning some 15% below our NSW counterparts at the top of the automatic incremental scale. This 'stand off' on teachers’ wages is a fight for the future of the profession.

We must take up the fight to the state government to put a stop to this wages decline and strive for a just wages outcome. The State Government is offering a mere 3.25% per annum to staff in Victorian Government Schools (VGS) with any increases above that met through direct productivity trade offs. Members are acutely aware of the problems inherent in finding productivity trade offs in education that don’t compromise the quality of education programs or impact on already overworked staff.

National Wages Comparison - Teachers

Day of Action - 7 March - All VIEU members
Late last year, VIEU Committee of Management resolved to call on all Catholic school sub-branches to meet on 14 February. At this meeting members were asked to vote on a resolution to take action on 7 March in protest at the State Government's failure to agree on a just wages outcome for teachers.

To also maximise pressure on the State Government delegations of Reps will meet with State Labor MPs. It is important that every member of the Brumby Government is aware of the serious situation regarding Victorian teachers’ wages!

Your VIEU organiser for 2008 will visit your school and talk about ways in which VIEU can support members in the campaign so that together we can achieve the best possible outcome.

Only Members Help Win Wage Justice
Only VIEU members will get to have a say at the 14 February meeting and on matters for our next agreement. It is important to encourage all staff at your school to join VIEU and be part of the struggle for better wages and conditions. There is no doubt we are stronger together. Membership forms and material to give to non-members is available at right.

As many of the VIEU claims around increases in wages are benchmarked to VGS wage rates, the wages outcome in the government sector is critical to our agreement.

Further information on the campaign is available at right, including the full claim, background information on the issues and FAQs.