C&K Branch Centre Staff - VOTE NO to outdated working conditions

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IEU members have been negotiating with C&K in good faith to secure a new collective agreement that improves working conditions for C&K branch centre staff.

C&K walked away from negotiations and rushed to a ballot on its proposed agreement, which was held 18-19 September.

Employees have VOTED NO in that ballot by a margin of 2-1.

The onus is clearly now on C&K to return to the negotiating table with a proposal that values and respects staff and students.

Why C&K’s proposed collective agreement is outdated…

❌ No additional release time for Directors
Directors in two-room centres receive just nine (9) minutes a day of release time. C&K refuses to increase release time, instead suggesting a year-long working party. The need to address release time is urgent; the time to increase it is now.

❌ No real action on workload

❌ No guarantee wages will match public sector
C&K has offered a wage increase of 8% over three years – and refuses to commit to increasing it if the public sector negotiates higher rates.

❌ No changes to outdated paid parental leave provisions
C&K wants to keep paid parental leave “hidden” in policy instead of being where it should be – in the collective agreement. They also want to continue only paying this when the employee returns to work, rather than when they are on leave.

❌ No changes to outdated long service leave provision
C&K want staff access to remain at 10 years, despite the broader education sector offering it after seven (7). For context, Catholic sector employees have had access to this for 25 years.

❌ No public sector matching of superannuation co-contribution
Under C&K’s proposal, employees would not receive an additional 0.75% employer super contribution like the public sector does.

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