Successful Outcome For Support Staff Claim
PAY INCREASE BACKDATED FOR SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE STAFF
The IEU has successfully negotiated pay rises and a range of significant conditions improvements for support and maintenance staff in Catholic schools. Wins include the critical issue of permanency for employees on recurring fixed term contracts in systemic schools and the backdating of a 4% pay rise to 1 July 2008 (including the 2.5% already paid).
New awards incorporating the improvements were made in the Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales on 22 December 2008.
Catholic Systemic Support Staff
The Union has negotiated a 4% per annum wage increase to all salaries and allowances (apart from expense related allowances which have increased by the relevant CPI) on the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2008, 1 July 2009 and 1 July 2010. The 2008 payment includes the 2.5% increase which has already been paid so staff will receive approx an extra 1.5% increase backdated.
Other improvements include the following:
Permanency
There has been significant improvement in relation to security of employment for employees on recurring fixed term contracts (such as teacher aides working with special needs children in some circumstances).
Those on fixed term contracts for a continuous period (after four years) will now be deemed a permanent employee for the equivalent of 65% of the average number of weekly hours of the previous four years.
Exiting diocesan arrangements which may be more beneficial will continue to apply – for example in the Diocese of Maitland – Newcastle and the new arrangements will not yet apply to the Diocese of Lismore where discussions will occur on the issue between the IEU and the Diocese.
Redundancy will be payable when there is a reduction in the permanent hours of employment.
Employers (other than the Diocese of Lismore) will have until 30 June 2009 to implement these provisions.
Senior Clerical Staff in Regional Dioceses
More country schools will now employ Senior School Officers, ie positions at Level 5 or 6 under the award. Agreement has been reached that at least one employee will be appointed to the position of Senior School Officer in schools with 100 or more students, as follows:
1. in a school with enrolments of 400 students or more, at least one employee will be appointed at Level 6
2. in a school with enrolments of less than 400 students, at least one employee will be appointed at Level 5.
A Level 6 employee will also be appointed to each high school and central school in regional dioceses. This will not reduce the existing arrangements where they are more beneficial and again the arrangements will not apply in the Diocese of Lismore where further discussions with the Union will occur.
These undertakings will be implemented no later than the beginning of Term 2 2009. Metropolitan dioceses will confirm in writing their existing practice of appointing at least one Level 6 employee in each school.
Playground Supervision
Employees doing playground supervision will now have better training and support. A new award clause requires that employers develop and implement a playground supervision policy that specifies levels of training to be provided to employees. It also ensures appropriate levels of assistance and support and that existing workloads will not increase.
New Health Care Procedure Allowances
Two new allowances, the Health Care Procedures Allowance and the Mixed Health Allowance, will ensure employees are remunerated for taking on medical duties.
An employee required to assist students with tube feeding, suctioning and assisted toileting will be paid the Health Care Procedure allowance of $15.81 per week and if that employee also provides general first aid, he or she will be paid a total allowance called the Mixed Health allowance of $30.98 per week.
Superannuation payable on termination payments
Employer superannuation contributions will now be made on termination payments.
Employees will also now receive the full 9% employer superannuation contribution up to the age of 75. Previously the cut off age was 70.
Minimum start for casual and part-time employees
Casual and part-time employees engaged after 1 February 2009 for the following duties only are now guaranteed a one-hour minimum start:
- assisting a disabled student to alight from, or board a bus
- traffic control
- tube feeding a student.
No current casual or part-time employee will have their hours or remuneration reduced.
Probation
A three-month probation period for new employees, if agreed between the employer and employee, now applies.
Maintenance and Outdoor Catholic Schools Award
The IEU has successfully negotiated a 4% per annum wage increase to all salaries and allowances (apart from expense related allowances which have increased by the relevant CPI) on the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2008, 1 July 2009 and1 July 2010. The back payment from July 2008 includes the 2.5% already paid.
Parental leave
Improvements include an increase in paid maternity leave to 14 weeks.
Superannuation payable on termination payments
Employer superannuation contributions will now be made on termination payments and employees will also receive the full 9% employer superannuation contribution up to the age of 75. Previously the cut off age was 70.
School Support Staff (Catholic Independent Schools) (State) Award
The Union has secured a 4% per annum wage increase to all salaries and allowances (apart from expense related allowances which have increased by the relevant CPI) on the first full pay period on or after 29 January 2009, 29 January 2010 and 29 January 2011.
Superannuation payable on termination payments
Employer superannuation contributions will now be made on termination payments.
Employees will also receive the full 9% employer superannuation contribution up to the age of 75. Previously the cut off age was 70.
Health care procedure allowances
Two new allowances, the Health Care Procedures Allowance and the Mixed Health Allowance, have been negotiated. The Health Care Procedure Allowance is set at $15.81 per week, and involves providing students with help on tube feeding, suctioning and assisted toileting. The Mixed Health Allowance applies where an employee also provides general first aid in addition to those described for the Health Care Procedures Allowance, and is $30.98 per week.
