Putting pay on the agenda
IEU participated in the ACECQA National Workforce Strategy Co-design Stakeholder Group meetings in 2020. While the union was successful in getting pay on the agenda, we need your help to make it a priority.
The six focus areas were professional recognition, leadership and capability, attraction and retention, mental and physical wellbeing, qualification and career pathways as well as data and evidence.
There was sector-wide consensus in each meeting that pay and conditions in early childhood services need to be comparable with schools in order to attract and retain early childhood teachers. However, the IEU was dismayed when ACECQA revealed their draft National Strategy to stakeholders in February and the crucial issue of remuneration was missing.
Fortunately, after the IEU and other stakeholders made submissions explaining why the issue of pay was critical to any workforce strategy, ACECQA added improving pay and conditions as one of their potential initiatives.
But the IEU needs your help to ensure pay is at the forefront of the National Workforce Strategy and in the finalised action plan. Complete the ACECQA online survey, open from 3-31 May and/or attend one of the five online consultations, 10-14 May (times to be advised). The IEU will provide confirmation of times and further information as it is released. ACECQA envisages that the final strategy and action plan will be given to education ministers in June.
For further information about the National Workforce Strategy visit: https://www.acecqa.gov.au/national-workforce-strategy
This story is part of the IEU’s ‘Teachers r Teachers’ Enews for early childhood teachers. Read the rest of the stories below: