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Reconciliation needs a brave approach to First Nations education
This year’s National Reconciliation Week (NRW) theme of Be Brave. Make Change is a timely one, given Australians have elected a new federal government committed to making change for First Nations Peoples.
National Sorry Day is a time for action
Today, 26 May, is National Sorry Day a day to remember and acknowledge the shameful mistreatment of First Nations Peoples and the Stolen Generations who were forcibly removed from their families and communities.
The agenda for working women starts here
The agenda includes four key union campaigns.
Australians have voted for change
A new government brings new opportunities to achieve the real change our members have been calling for, writes IEU-QNT Branch Secretary Terry Burke.
Mould at work is a health and safety issue
Recent wet weather and unseasonably high levels of humidity across Queensland has led to an increase in the prevalence of mould being reported at school sites.
“Historic”: paid domestic violence leave for 2.5 million workers
In an historic move more than 2.5 million additional workers will receive paid family and domestic violence leave.
Being an LGBTQI+ employee in a faith-based school
For those who identify as LGBTQI+, working in faith-based schools often includes a level of fear or distress.
Super drained to help house prices soar
Workers forced to raid retirement savings to get on property ladder.
Wages frozen: employees told to wait
Queensland Catholic employers seeking to freeze school officer wages despite the deepening cost of living crisis, with teachers likely to follow.
Condition critical: care crisis sees 1000s strike
Over 7000 aged care workers have walked off the job in protest at the current federal government’s inaction to address workload and low wages within the aged care sector.
278% wage win for members
Casual boarding staff in Northern Territory Catholic schools working on public holidays will receive 278% of their ordinary pay rate following IEU action.
Workers lose $10k
The average Australian worker would have earned $10,000 more if real wages had kept pace with productivity since 2013 – the year the Coalition federal government was elected.
Student teachers set for $12k a year
High achieving prospective teachers would get up to $12,000 per year for entering the profession should the ALP win the federal election.
Giving voice to our profession
Teacher professional boards are significant governing bodies for our profession – ones which IEU members fought to establish and then to be part of the representative body.
HELP debt reduction for teachers in very remote areas
Teachers who are working in very remote areas are encouraged to apply for a scheme which reduces Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debts.
Members to make voice heard on future of school libraries
Our union will host the first School Library Forum on Thursday, 28 July to bring together IEU colleagues working as Teacher-Librarians as well as Library Assistants to create a plan for the future of our school libraries.
IEU VET member voices needed for draft self-assurance model design
The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) has developed a new draft model for self-assurance in the Vocational Education Training (VET) sector and are now seeking feedback from the sector.
NAPLAN 2023 changes explained
With NAPLAN testing being held this week across the country, it is a good time to review the upcoming changes set to be implemented following the 2020 NAPLAN Review and the longstanding advocacy of our union to all levels of government.
Protecting school communities from online abuse
Our union has advocated for a focus on protecting school communities from online abuse
Unlocking the full registration milestone
Attaining full teacher registration is a significant milestone for any teacher, recognising both establishment within the profession as well as years of dedicated training.
Members celebrate the IEU difference
IEU members joined tens of thousands of union members from across Queensland and the Northern Territory over the long weekend to celebrate Labour Day/ May Day 2022.
Labor makes landmark commitment to working women
A prospective Labor government would take real action on equal pay for working women.
Morrison to cut tradie’s pay if re-elected
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced that if re-elected he will tie pay rises for thousands of construction workers to the rate of increase in the National Minimum Wage. Morrison’s new Greenfields Agreement policy would represent a pay cut for huge numbers of...
IEU action stops employer from accessing unnecessary health history
An employer’s attempt to seek an IEU member’s medical information from their treating practitioner has been stopped thanks to support from our union. IEU-QNT Industrial Services Officer Jill McKeon said the member who had been absent from work due to illness for some...
IEU WA members say no to inferior agreement
Teachers in Western Australian Catholic schools have voted down an inferior collective agreement that would have cut working conditions. In a show of solidarity against an employer determined to undermine hard-won conditions, IEU members made it clear they would not...
Australia’s insecure work shame
With more than one in four workers now in insecure work, the current federal government has failed to address job insecurity for hundreds of thousands of Australians – including many IEU members. Job insecurity didn’t happen by accident. “Australia used to have the...
32% more deaths at work since 2018
One worker every two days is killed on the job in Australia, according to a major report by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) into the Morrison federal government’s failings on work health and safety. Scott Morrison has also overseen an appalling 32 per...
Celebrate Labour Day/May Day this weekend
This Labour Day/May Day long weekend, members will gather across Queensland and the Northern Territory to celebrate the IEU difference. Festivities return to a more familiar calendar of events this year after pandemic disruptions. Members have been on the frontline...
NAIDOC Week 2022
Held between Sunday, 3 July and Sunday, 10 July, NAIDOC Week 2022’s theme of Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! acknowledges First Nations Peoples’ proud history of getting up, standing up and showing up.
National Reconciliation Week 2022
Held annually, National Reconciliation Week (NRW) occurs between 27 May and 3 June, dates which mark historically significant milestones for First Nations People and Australia’s reconciliation journey: the 1967 referendum and the Mabo decision.
A legislative agenda for working women?
With the federal election approaching many working women will be considering how their vote can make a difference in defining the nation’s legislative agenda.
NCCD workload breakthrough
IEU members have put employers across our sector on notice regarding excessive demands of staff completing the NCCD process.
Practicum payment negotiations continue
Union advocacy has secured a payment increase for practicum supervision and continued negotiations for stronger protections of working conditions.
New ITE models leading to full teaching loads
Emergence of alternative models of pre-service teacher experience, including paid internships, has potential to put high-quality education practice and delivery at risk.
Time to confirm new National Curriculum, end politicisation of content
The new national curriculum still has not been confirmed in full, despite the Federal Government aiming for implementation in 2023.
Final ITE report fails to understand profession or address key issues
The final report into Initial Teacher Education (ITE) is one characterised by a fundamental failure to understand the profession or recognise that ITE depends upon access to schools and supervising teachers, according to IEU-QNT Branch Secretary Terry Burke.
COVID-19 takes heavy toll on school leaders’ health and wellbeing
The ongoing impact of COVID-19 has worsened the risks of long-term damage to principals’ health and wellbeing, according to the latest Australia Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing survey.
IEU intervention saves member’s graduation after employer discrimination
An employer’s attempt to discriminate on the basis of a medical injury was thwarted after assistance from our union’s experienced Industrial Services Team.
IEU helps pregnant member transfer to safe work
Our union’s assistance and advocacy has led to a pregnant member being reassigned to a safe job where she is performing alternative duties for the duration of her pregnancy.
Morrison’s super betrayal
The Morrison government has dismissed a plan to address the gender super gap.
Natural disaster leave provides crucial support
When floodwaters inundated vast areas of South East Queensland last month thousands of Queenslanders faced devastating impacts.
Federal government breaks record for workers with multiple jobs
The number of Australians who need more than one job to make ends meet – which had already been at a record high – has climbed even higher according to new data released this morning by the ABS.
Kindy employees left with no redundancy provisions
IEU members in the early childhood education sector need to be on alert, after multiple employers have tried to, and in some cases succeeded in, removing important working rights from collective agreements, particularly redundancy payment provisions.
Close the Gap Day 2022: Know Your Country campaign
As Close the Gap Day 2022 on 17 March approaches, our union encourages members to contemplate the persisting gap in outcomes between First Nations and non-First Nations Peoples.
Not enough: women still waiting on IWD
“Not enough”: why women are still waiting for change on International Women’s Day (IWD) 2022.
Severe weather causing major school disruptions, minimal staff attendance tomorrow
Flooding and severe weather in South East Queensland continue to pose a significant threat to community safety.
Chapters to mark IWD
International Women’s Day (IWD) held each year on 8 March is a day to promote equality for women’s social, political and working rights.
Fair Work Commission dispute leads to improved consultation on school closures and safety
Our union’s dispute with Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) over the decision to reopen schools today was subject to a conference in the Fair Work Commission (FWC) earlier this afternoon.
Dispute filed over Brisbane Catholic Education move to reopen majority of schools
Our union filed an urgent dispute late last night with the industrial umpire – the Fair Work Commission (FWC) – over Brisbane Catholic Education’s decision to reopen the majority of schools today Tuesday, 1 March 2022.
SEQ flood emergency continues, employer compassion needed for support & certainty
While South East Queensland continues to endure the current flood emergency, essential workplace arrangements can be confirmed right now to help support employees and safeguard our school communities.
Closed means closed: Non-government employers should follow state sector
The Queensland Government has made the decision to close all state schools across Metropolitan Brisbane and the South East as well as some schools in the North Coast and Darling Downs South West regions due to the flood situation. The schools are those that fall into...
State funding announcement reinforces viability of early childhood education sector
IEU members have welcomed the Queensland Government’s announcement today (Wednesday, 23 February) of significant kindergarten funding reforms and more than $1 billion in investment to the early childhood education sector over five years.
Chapter fights back over excessive hours
IEU member action has made the difference in overcoming an employer attempt to direct teachers to work beyond their hours of duty.
Super boost for vulnerable workers
The superannuation balances of thousands of vulnerable workers will receive a much-needed boost following the abolition of the $450 super threshold.
Member action makes difference on COVID-19 WHS issue
An IEU member’s initiative and action at their kindergarten has negotiated a solution to a significant COVID-19 Work Health and Safety (WHS) issue.
Federal government fails aged care and disability sectors again
The aged care and disability sectors need urgent support from the federal government through appropriate remuneration as well as better access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and RATs (Rapid Antigen Tests), so that the essential services the sectors provide can continue and be delivered safely.
QLD Catholic employer failures result in poor HALT application rates
The determination of Queensland Catholic school employers to control the process for Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher (HALT) applications without seeking the support of our union has led to a woeful take up of the roles across the state.
NT boarding school employer disputes backpay
Northern Territory Catholic school members remain locked in a dispute with their employer who has failed to pay staff their public holidays loadings for many years.
Employers shamefully refusing upfront pandemic leave
Our union is calling on school employers to provide immediate access to paid pandemic leave for staff who test positive to COVID-19 or are exposed to the virus and required to comply with public health directives.
Unions make a difference for couriers and gig economy workers in world first
The NSW Transport Workers Union won a landmark decision today that will see couriers receive enforceable pay rises between 36 and 46 per cent over three years and further protections – including for Amazon flex drivers in a world first.
Celebrating School Libraries as The Heart of Learning
School communities around the state are acknowledging the critical role of library staff and thanking them for their outstanding work as part of Queensland School Library Week (QSLW) 2022 celebrations.
HALT: The great Catholic sector embarrassment
The determination of Queensland Catholic school employers to control the process for Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher (HALT) applications without seeking the support of our union has led to a woeful take up of the roles across the state.
IEU supporting creative talents to shine in 2022
The IEU Awards for Excellence in Art Design and the Literary Competition will return in 2022 for students and staff in the non-government education sector.
Setting early career teachers up for success
As our union’s Mentoring Program enters its fourth year, we reflect on how setting early career teachers up for success makes a difference to the profession.
Religious Discrimination Bill would enable, not prevent discrimination
The federal government’s flawed Religious Discrimination Bill, which would enable rather than prevent discrimination, has been abandoned at a critical juncture ahead of the upcoming federal election.
Citipointe Christian College must adhere to Anti-Discrimination Act
Our union has called on Citipointe Christian College to meet its responsibilities under the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act and ensure no student at the College is discriminated against on the basis of gender identity or sexuality.
Queensland government’s safe return to school plan welcomed
Our union welcomes the safe return to school plan announced by Education Minister Grace Grace, which will set the parameters and act as a reference point for non-government education employers.
Unions condemn failure of federal government to provide free and accessible Rapid Antigen Tests for all
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has condemned, in the strongest possible terms, the Prime Minister’s failure at National Cabinet yesterday (13 January) to ensure Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) be made free and accessible for all; to protect worker and community safety and get the economy moving again.
IEU-QNT absolutely rejects any change to end of scheduled school year
IEU-QNT members absolutely reject any notion of an additional week being added to the school year in their sector, after the Queensland government announced the school year is to be extended by a week in Queensland state schools.
Schools on notice over co-curricular payments
A recent Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) ruling on underpayment of ‘voluntary’ co-curricular work at St Peters Lutheran College means all non-government schools making such payments are now on notice.
Temporary contracts, long-term problems
A recent survey of 18,000 members of the NSW Teachers’ Federation regarding their workload and experiences teaching, has further reinforced the importance of our union’s ongoing work in fighting back against fixed-term contracts and abolishing precarious working arrangements.
Mathematical Playworld: where imagination and numbers collide
A new pedagogical approach, designed by researchers from Monash University, sheds light on how to effectively support young children’s maths learning through a play-based program. Early childhood education experts agree children should enter their formal schooling...
Strong bodies, strong minds
We want young children to grow up with strong, active and happy bodies and minds, writes Bedrock journalist Jessica Willis.
Accessing natural disaster leave
In the last 24 hours, emergency alerts have been issued to parts of Queensland, including for Inglewood and Leyburn. Fundamentally, where members have safety concerns in the event of natural disaster or emergency, such as severe weather, they should follow the advice of emergency services and advise their workplace accordingly.
Religious Discrimination Bill enables workplace discrimination
Proposed legislation allows discrimination, rather than protects against it.
Eliminating gender-based violence
November 25 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the start of 16 days of action against gender-based violence.
$2.3m recovered for IEU members in last two years
Across 2020-21, our union has continued to make a difference for IEU members – recovering compensation, underpayments and allowances.
Fighting for our future: why current IR policy needs to change
Despite rising levels of insecure work, Australians working multiple jobs to survive and collective bargaining legislation that continues to provide employers with the balance of power, the current federal government shows little intention to consider industrial relations (IR) policy which would address this reality.
Respect@Work lite a failure for working women
The federal government has missed a landmark opportunity to address workplace harassment following the passage of its watered-down Respect@Work legislation.
Employers’ duty to protect staff from sexual harassment
The new Sex Discrimination and Fair Work (Respect at Work) Amendment Act 2021 (the Act) aims to combat the prevalence of sexual harassment in Australia by clarifying and simplifying sexual harassment laws and encouraging meaningful cultural change in workplaces, as Holding Redlich’s Rachel Drew writes.
Federal agenda puts super futures at risk
The Australian super system is, at its heart, an enduring victory for workers, something the current federal government has done its best to undermine.
Member contributions celebrated
Our union’s annual Excellence Awards were presented to recipients at the 2021 IEU-QNT AGM, recognising the contributions of some of our most active members.
Protecting supervising teachers priority as practicum payment negotiations begin
Protecting supervising teachers from workload increases related to new models of preservice teacher practicum as well as ensuring payments meet benchmark standards are the priority matters for our union and the Queensland Teachers’ Union (QTU) as practicum payment negotiations begin.
Members’ voice heard on NCCD: Too long, too much and too little
Assistant Secretary/Treasurer Paul Giles reflects on the recent survey undertaken by our union regarding the implementation of Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) across Queensland and Northern Territory schools during 2021.
Are you suffering from information overload?
Information overload was a buzz phrase before the internet, before messaging, the 24/7 news cycle, social media, analytics, keyboard tracking, UX design, LinkedIn,and PowerPoint.
Voicing concerns: speaking up about vocal injury in teachers
Global research reveals up to 30% of teachers will experience a voice problem at some stage of their career, creating the need to educate teachers on how to protect and preserve their voices, as journalist Emily Campbell writes.
Power of shared reading in vocabulary development
Early childhood education experts and researchers agree: vocabulary development is considered foundational to young children’s language and literacy learning, journalist Emily Campbell writes.
IEU contributes to new Queensland Women’s Strategy
IEU submission calls for affordable access to childcare; measures to counter the sustained prevalence of discrimination and gendered violence in communities and workplaces; and addressing women’s particular vulnerability to social and economic hardship.
Members’ voices heard on new NT Education Engagement Strategy
The Northern Territory (NT) government has unveiled the new Education Engagement Strategy 2022-2031, which aims to improve educational outcomes for young Territorians over the next 10 years.
Building collegial communities: 2022 IEU Mentoring Program
Our union recognises that quality mentoring provides crucial support for beginning teachers, although unfortunately, mentoring is not always readily accessible in schools.
Federal government voter ID laws threaten to silence most marginalised
A new law requiring Australian voting to show ID on election day is unjustified and could create barriers to voting for some of our most marginalised in the community.
$5 billion in superannuation stolen from workers
3 million Australian workers have had $5 billion in superannuation stolen by employers according to a recently released Industry Super Australia report.
$18k backpay for member following IEU assistance
A member who required surgery following an injury sustained in the workplace has been back paid close to $18,000 of sick leave and vacation leave thanks to the assistance of our union.
Members set new super benchmark
Members at Brisbane Girls Grammar School (BGGS) have won benchmark-setting super entitlements in their recent collective bargaining negotiations.
Collective voice driving bargaining outcomes
IEU members are driving widespread enhancements to employment conditions in the non-government sector despite a challenging bargaining system.
$3k employer error corrected after IEU assistance
Action by our union’s expert Industrial Services team has saved a member thousands of dollars after their employer incorrectly requested reimbursement.
Financial products fail performance test
Australian Catholic Super and Christian Super have failed the financial regulator’s initial performance test of their MySuper financial products.
Everyone should be safe at work
All workers have a right to be safe at work, not just from physical injuries but also from work-related psychological injuries and poor mental health.
Education’s psychological strain must be addressed
As the national focus turns to psychological wellbeing for Mental Health Week (9-17 October), workers in the education industry continue to face high rates of psychological strain.
IEU action results in pay increase for kindergarten teacher wrongly classified
A kindergarten teacher member who recently joined our union after commencing a new job has received an increase in pay (and relevant back payment) thanks to an observant IEU officer.