Educator wage increase negotiations progress “encouraging” says IEU

The Independent Education Union of Australia NSW/ACT branch has confirmed a recent meeting between key employee representatives, employer representatives and the Commonwealth Government to discuss educator wages and that progress has been “encouraging.” 

The latest conference took place on 23 February 2024, and is understood to be the ninth since the Fair Work Commission issued their authorisation for parties to proceed with negotiations in September 2023.

“We were encouraged by the discussions and significant progress was made on the Commonwealth’s contribution towards a wage increase,” the IEU noted in a statement, which also indicated that the Commonwealth has committed to “continue engaging collaboratively with parties.” 

The commentary marks the first such formal statement by any party involved in the negotiations since November 2023, and is likely to precede a period of more intense newsflow on the matter as negotiations culminate and the 2024/25 Federal Budget approaches. 

All major parties involved in the negotiations attended last week’s meeting, with the Commonwealth Government sending six representatives including Julia Chandra, Michele Arcaro and Tristan Reed from the Department of Education.

The IEU also confirmed the next date for ECEC wage negotiations to continue is scheduled to take place on 15 March, 2024.