The e-newsletter for members on parental leave

Staying in Touch

The Independent Education Union of Australia - Queensland and Northern Territory Branchwww.qieu.asn.au

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Welcome

CATHOLIC

Collective bargaining has commenced for schools across Queensland. As of March, all employee claims have been tabled on behalf of members and now we await the employer’s presentation of their claims. For more details about the log of claims, chapter briefings and other bargaining related developments, visit our website at www.qieu.asn.au/searchable-archive/catholic-sector-collective-bargaining-2011-2012/

AngLICAn

negotiations for a new Agreement will commence in Term 3 2012 after a one year Agreement was endorsed with a 4% wage increase. Working Parties have formed to frame discussions around an Accomplished Teacher classification and for provisions relating to Boarding staff. LuTHerAn

negotiations for a new Agreement will commence in Term 3 2012 after a one year Agreement was finalised with a 4% wage increase.

PMSA

Issues abound in this sector with regard to the Accomplished Classroom Teacher classification proving problematic. Employers have introduced a ‘Lead Teacher’ classification that we contend does not reflect the provision for an Accomplished Classroom Teacher as stated in the Agreement – this matter is now before Fair Work Australia for resolution.

Sector UpdateS

Welcome to Staying in Touch, the e-newsletter for members on maternity, adoption or parental leave.

IN THIS EDITION:• Sector Updates• Family Friendly Claims in

Catholic Bargaining• Benefitsof Membership• MemberProfile:LeanneMurray

• InformationSession:InfantFeeding in the Workplace

Vol. 3 No. 1 | April 2012 | www.qieu.asn.au/parentalleave

Areyouinterestedinreadingaboutbreastfeedingandyourreturntowork?

Findaseriesof articlesavailableforyoutodownloadfromourwebsiteatwww.qieu.asn.au/membership-

sectors/stayingintouchWanttoaskusaquestion?

Send an email to IeuA-QnT Organiser Susan O’Leary at soleary@qieu.asn.au

The Independent Education Union of Australia - Queensland and Northern Territory Branchwww.qieu.asn.au

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Staying in TouchThe monthly e-newsletter for members on parental leave

Family Friendly Claims in Catholic Bargaining

WithcollectivebargainingunderwayintheCatholicsectorinQueensland,anumberof familyfriendlyinitiativeshavebeenclaimedonbehalf of members.Theseinclude:

* An increase in preparation and correction time for primary and secondary teachers;

* Removal of the quota of 1 job share position for 7 full-time positions as this restricts the availability of this flexible arrangement for all employees;

* Having paid spousal (parental) leave available before the arrival of your new family member should a situation arise where parental leave is needed earlier – at the moment, paid parental leave can only be accessed within one month of the birth or adoption;

* regularising arrangements across the state so that if an employee on approved leave becomes pregnant she will be entitled to second and subsequent paid maternity leave;

* regularising arrangements so that everyone in Qld can access paid parental leave at half pay for double the time;

* Domestic violence leave – additional leave should an employee need to deal with relevant issues;

* Infant feeding and expressing facilities – an extension of the current arrangements with timetabled lactation breaks, exemption from duties during breaks and more detail about the set up required for those who wish to feed or express at work;

* Provision of an allowance for out of pocket expenses (eg childcare) that are incurred as a result of attending camps or retreats, etc;

* Time off in lieu for attendance at school organised events that involve overnight stays; and,

* Flexibility for significant caring responsibilities ( for children under school age, children with special needs or family members who need support) for those who hold PArs - they can request conversion of annual financial allowances into additional release time so that more of their work can be undertaken during the working day

For more information about Catholic Collective Bargaining, visit www.qieu.asn.au

For more JOB SHARE information please visit our Union’s website by clicking on the link below www.qieu.asu.au/parentalleave

Member Profile - Leanne Murray

Page 3 of 4www.qieu.asn.au/maternity

Staying in TouchThe monthly e-newsletter for members on parental leave

The Benefits of Job SharingTobehonest,Iwasn’toverlykeenonreturningtoworking.

I love my job and have always loved being a teacher, but I love being home with my daughter more! I was dreading going back for the inservices and being away from her. I was also anxious about teaching year one as I had just spent the last twelve years teaching in grades six or seven. Before I left for my twelve months maternity leave, I made an appointment to see my principal to discuss my interest in a job share position. I felt it was important to let the administration team know of my intentions but also to gauge whether this was a possibility.

Thankfully my principal was open to the idea and was happy to support this; however, getting a job share position isn’t as easy as that. I needed to wait to see if another teacher at my school wanted to job share with me or alternatively, I had to seek out a position at another school. I also needed to find someone who was happy to work a five day fortnight. I was very fortunate that another teacher at my school was also hoping to job share the following year and was flexible with the days she could work.

As much as I would prefer to be home full time, our family simply can’t afford this so being able to work in a job share position is perfect. It allows us to pay the bills and I also get to spend quality time with my daughter. I really appreciate the days when I am at home with her and the mornings are less stressful on the days I don’t work. I think job share is a great option; if your family can afford it, then it’s definitely something to consider. You get to spend quality time with your child, maintain your permanency and continue working in your profession. It’s great that our union advocates job share arrangements. When my daughter was only a few months old I went along to a union inservice which presented the pros and cons of a job share arrangement. We were also shown ways we could approach our principal about the issue.

The Independent Education Union of Australia - Queensland and Northern Territory Branchwww.qieu.asn.au

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Members on maternity leave canstill access free, confidential andprofessional advice on any workplace matter - even from home.

There is a special membership rate of $90 (or $3.30 per fortnight) for members to receive all our membership benefits while at home with baby.

There are a number of reasons members should remain union members while on maternity leave, including:

1. Professional advice onworkplacematters

Common inquiries can include job share, teacher registration, continuing professional development, accessing paid parental leave, notice periods for resignation and others.

2. Legalassistance

3. Saving money on goods and services

Make great savings on goods and services by using your Union Shopper. Call 1800 368 117 or visit www.unionshopper.com.au for your next bargain.

4. Improved wages and conditions

5. Strongvoiceonprofessionalissues

6. Advocacy through professionalbodies

7. StayinginTouche-zine

ContactourMembershipDepartment on 1800 177 938 or (07) 3839 7020 to ask to be converted to ourspecialdiscounted‘MaternityLeaverate’forthetimeyouareaway

from paid work.

www.qieu.asn.au/parentalleave

Benefits of Membership

Staying in TouchThe monthly e-newsletter for members on parental leave

Pregnancy, Birth & Baby Helpline - for support during the first 12 months

of parenting.

Paid Parental Leave scheme

national Breastfeeding Helpline

Postnatal Depression

relationships Australia

Domestic Violence

Immunise Australia Program

raising Children’s network

Members on Parental Leave

union Shopper

Useful Contacts

Special Invitation

WHEN & WHERE

Wednesday 13 June, 201211:00 am - 12:30 pm

QIEU Office - Level 1 Training Room, 346 Turbot Street Spring Hill

1800 882 436 Service operates 24 hours a day.

familyassist.gov.au

1800 MuM2MuM (1800 686 2 686)

beyondblue.org.au - 1300 224 636

relationships.com.au - 1300 364 277

dvconnect.org - Womensline 1800 811 811, Mensline 1800 600 636

1800 671 811

raisingchildren.net.at

qieu.asn.au/parentalleave

unionshopper.com.au

Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about: Infant Feeding, expressing and your return to work

This informal ‘information session’ has been developed especially for our members on maternity/family leave. We want you to feel very comfortable coming along, with

your children, to talk about your rights with regard to feeding your little one when you return to work.

Refreshments will be provided foryou and your children.

A’ toy box’ will be on hand,to help keep kids amused.

Free parking opposite Union Office at King’s Parking, underneath Cathedral

Square. Please bring your parking voucher when you arrive to be validated by our Receptionist.

How to register your interest:Please contact Tessa McKenzie on 3839 7020 or tmckenzie@qieu.asn.au by Friday, 8 June to ensure sufficient quantities of information sheets and catering