Staff in Queensland Catholic schools have rejected a proposed enterprise agreement in a 2-to-1 vote after employers failed to address key bargaining claims.
Results declared on Friday showed that, of those employees who voted, 68% of Diocesan school staff and 63.5% of Religious Institute school staff rejected the inadequate agreement proposed by employers.
Employers moved to ballot despite failing to reach in-principle agreement with the Independent Education Union – Queensland and Northern Territory (IEU-QNT) at the bargaining table.
IEU-QNT Branch Secretary Terry Burke said employers only have themselves to blame.
“Employers balloted an inadequate agreement that did not address the concerns of staff – wages comparable to those paid interstate, action on workload, fair reproductive health leave and other contemporary employment conditions,” Mr Burke said.
“They wasted four months pursuing this ballot when they could have been negotiating to address employees’ claims.
“Employees are understandably angry about the employers' failed approach to the negotiations – their delays and their unwillingness to listen.”
Mr Burke said the IEU-QNT had called on employers to make a good faith interim wage increase of 4% as a first step to resolving the negotiations.
“A 4% wage increase in 2026 is consistent with both the employer and employee claims,” Mr Burke said.
“This is the increase employers offered. It’s the amount they budgeted for, and they should pay it before Christmas to start rebuilding their relationship with employees.
“The IEU remains prepared to resolve these negotiations fairly, as soon as possible.
“Employers need to come back to the bargaining table and show they are ready to do the same.”
About us:
The Independent Education Union – Queensland and Northern Territory Branch represents 17,000 teachers, school support staff, principals and other non-government sector employees across QLD and the NT.
Contact details:
Contact: Elise Moffett, IEU-QNT Communications Lead: [email protected] / 0448 061 874
