Bargaining Loop #6 – 5 June 2026 | 🖨️ Download printable PDF
Employers revealed the majority of their “total package offer” at this week’s bargaining meeting.
In short:
- The employer “total package offer” falls well short of the employee claim.
- Employees deserve genuine negotiation, not simply a “no” response.
- Members are encouraged to share their ACTION NOW stories ahead of the final scheduled bargaining meeting on 23 June.
Responses to employee claims
Employer positions
Employers outlined the following positions as part of their “total package” offer:
- Wage increases of 4%, 3.5% and 3.5% per year over the life of the agreement.
- School officer wage increases delayed by moving the payment date to 1 July each year for all staff.
- A very small adjustment to the Alternative School Officer Classification Structure (ASOCS) through the introduction of a new step in some levels and a one-off 1.5% increase to Level 3 Step 4.
- Five days of paid reproductive health leave with a range of restrictions on access.
“Responses” are not negotiations
Employers assert they have provided a “response” to all the employee claims.
That response has largely turned out to be “no”.
“No” is not good enough.
Employers need to move beyond a response and provide a genuine negotiation.
Negotiation is the only way to resolve the key issues in schools:
- Addressing the workload crisis.
- Wages that recognise the value of work.
- Implementing contemporary rights at work.
- Recognition of specialist and leadership staff.
Backpay threat
Employers’ “total package offer” comes with a threat to deny backpay if employees do not vote in favour of a proposed agreement before 31 October 2026.
Want to know more?
Register for our ACTION NOW Town Hall online meeting at 4:00pm on Tuesday, 9 June 2026.
IEU-QNT Branch Secretary Terry Burke will discuss the employee claims, employer responses and how members can support the ACTION NOW campaign.
Next steps
Our union will provide a detailed briefing next week outlining member activities to progress our ACTION NOW campaign.
Our Share Your Story online form is still open.
If you believe the employer “response” is not good enough, please take 10 minutes to Share Your Story about why we need ACTION NOW.
The final scheduled bargaining meeting will be held on Tuesday, 23 June 2026.