As Tropical Cyclone Fina approaches the Northern Territory coast, it is important IEU members know what applicable leave provisions are included in relevant collective agreements as part of union negotiations.
We hope you are not affected but if you are, then it’s important to know your industrial rights.
In the event that you and/or your family are significantly impacted and continue to be impacted such that you do not believe you are in a position to return to work immediately, we encourage you to make application to your principal or employer to access relevant Emergency and Natural Disaster Leave.
Should you need assistance with your application and stating your case or would like to check the provisions you may be entitled to, please contact our union on FREECALL 1800 177 938.
Emergency and Natural Disaster Leave - NT Catholic and Lutheran Schools
A specific Emergency and Natural Disaster Leave provision is contained in the collective agreement that applies to Northern Territory Catholic (Clauses 5.6.2 and 5.6.3) and Lutheran (Clause 83) schools.
NT Catholic school members – click here to view emergency and natural disaster leave provisions
NT Lutheran school members – click here to view emergency and natural disaster leave provisions
Whether or not a collective agreement contains an Emergency and Natural Disaster Leave provision, common sense and safety should prevail and the principles of the NT Catholic collective agreement provide sound guidance.
Fundamentally, where members have safety concerns for their family or property in the event of severe weather, they should remain at home and advise their school accordingly.
In the NT Catholic sector provision, employees can access this leave where they are prevented from attending their workplace due to natural disaster or emergency such as flooding, cyclonic disturbances or severe storms.
This leave allows employees to ensure the safety of themselves, their family and their property.
This also applies where employees are unable to travel to and from their home or workplace.
These provisions also generally include leave for staff to attend emergencies if they are members of the State Emergency Service, voluntary firefighting units or Honorary Ambulance Offices for example.
Other Schools
Members in all other schools should refer to their collective agreement via MyIEU to confirm whether such provisions are in place for their workplace.
We are here to help
Members who experience issues accessing paid leave in these circumstances should contact our union on FREECALL 1800 177 938 for support.
Our union, on behalf of all IEU-QNT members, extends the hope that members and their families remain safe during the clean-up period and are able to return to work when ready.
Government advice is available from the SecureNT website and Bureau of Meteorology.
Image credit: Tropical Cyclone Fina's forecasted path, Bureau of Meteorology (BOM)
