EB9: what's in the claim?
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 123 No 8, 2 November 2018, page no. 11
The QTU’s EB claim, which will form the basis of the Union’s position when negotiations begin next year, was debated and endorsed at the State Council on 3 November. Here is a summary of the issues included.
Key elements
1. Promotional Positions Classification Review
The current certified agreement commits to a review of the classification structure of promotional positions, taking into account school complexity and the impact of needs-based funding/staffing, which will inform negotiations for the next certified agreement. Consequently, the QTU seeks to include a revised classification and salary structure for classified positions in the new agreement.
Workload
The QTU aims to retain and strengthen the measures included in the current agreement to mitigate workload, with the addition of a structured audit of workload impacts, including initiatives and proposed changes to work practice at systemic and workplace levels. This review must include consideration by the ECC and LCC (in schools required to have one) before any initiatives or changes that impact on how work is performed are implemented.
Gender pay equity
See page 10.
Other issues
Class sizes – a formalisation of processes to review class sizes that may exceed class size targets, including:
- recognition of the potential of class sizes in excess of class size targets to impact on teacher workload, student and teacher wellbeing, and student outcomes
- a formal process for determining class sizes in special education settings
- a review and establishment of class size targets for practical subjects.
Non-contact time – including an increase to non-contact time provisions in all school settings, to enable professional activities including collaborative planning, moderation of student work and the implementation of the Australian Curriculum and the new QCE.
Part-time teaching – including improved access to part-time for teachers and those in promotional positions, and recognition of service for salary progression purposes.
Incentives for rural and remote locations – including implementation of the changes to the scheme arising from the pilot undertaken in the current certified agreement, an enhancement to the levels of compensation and incentive payments (including linking this remuneration to salary increases or CPI), and the introduction of attraction incentives in rural and remote locations.
Permanency – including a commitment to ensuring temporary employment only occurs in circumstances of a short-term vacancy (including IPS), and improvements in the teacher transfer and promotional position relocation processes.
Allowances – ensuring allowances applicable to the public sector, such as on-call allowances and higher duties, are adopted appropriately to reflect the work undertaken by teachers and school leaders in schools.
Professional issues – a review of joint statements to include the dispute resolution processes of the certified agreement or award and commitments to negotiate joint statements from time to time in response to professional issues that emerge through DoE initiatives or other expectations.
Workplace health and safety – including support and release time for members undertaking the roles of WHS representatives and officers to allow them to perform their duties and undertake training, and improved processes to mitigate circumstances of occupational violence (including online behaviours) and WHS risks to wellbeing and safety.
Additional significant factors
- Release time for Union Reps to undertake their role on the LCC and other duties.
- Fatigue time or TOIL provisions for additional duties undertaken outside regular hours of instruction that are required as part of the teaching role.
- Review of senior teacher and EST salary progression processes and access.
Salaries
The QTU has not finalised a global salary increase for the claim, as it is anticipated that differential increases are likely given the implementation of PPCR and other elements of the claim. However, in determining the acceptability or otherwise of salary outcomes, the Union will consider:
- interstate salary comparisons
- cost of living indexes, including but not limited to CPI, AWOTE, House Price Index
- timing of increases and their impact on retirement benefits of members
- increases in other education sectors in Queensland.
Members should note that current government wages policy (2.5 per cent p.a.) will not be enough to achieve real salary growth by the end of the agreement (looking at projected CPI alone).