QUEENSLAND INDEPENDENT EDUCATION UNION

Wednesday, 28 January 2009 Ref: Tvgs5eb64bhc

Help Colleagues Fight Unjust Wage Decision at Townsville Grammar School

CHAPTER BRIEFING – ALL QIEU CHAPTERS

Dear Colleagues Late last year, the Principal of Townsville Grammar School, advised staff that in the event of a successful ballot on the proposed agreement (to be held in February 2009) only continuing employees would receive backpayment from 1 May 2008. The proposed agreement if endorsed provides for a 4.5% increase in line with the public sector increase at that time. The School's position was never stated in prior collective agreement negotiations. This latter-day determination by the School means staff who worked during 2008 and who have now left will not receive the same financial recognition of their dedicated work as others. This obvious lack of respect to dedicated and committed staff is offensive and the School's arguments in its defence are arguments of convenience, attempting to disguise the inadequacy of their position. On Friday, 23 of January 2009, Townsville Grammar School chapter members endorsed a resolution requesting a state-wide and community campaign to justly resolve this matter. Chapter support of our Townsville Grammar School members is now needed. Staff action taken As soon as the Principal made public the Board’s determination not to honour their commitment and backdate the wage increase to all staff, an offsite meeting was convened on 5 December 2008, calling for urgent reconsideration of this issue. Resolutions were unanimously passed that included formally taking up the issue with the Principal and if unresolved then the School Board. QIEU wrote on behalf of staff to firstly the Principal and then following an unsatisfactory reply to members of the Board. Regrettably, the School has reaffirmed its position not to make a backpayment to departing staff.

BRISBANE 346 TURBOT ST SPRING HILL Q 4000 P O BOX 418 FORTITUDE VALLEY

Phone: 07 3839 7020 Fax: 07 3839 7021 Freecall: 1800 177937 Email: enquiries@qieu.asn.au Internet: www.qieu.asn.au ABN: 45 620 218 712

On Friday, 23 January 2009, the Chapter unanimously endorsed a resolution requesting sector wide support in their campaign. For their part, Townsville Grammar School staff are currently gathering signatures on a school-level petition calling on the Principal and Board to honour its undertaking to backpay a 4.5% wage increase to all staff as of 1 May 2008, in recognition of all colleagues’ professional commitment over the last school year.

Chapter Action Requested The staff at Townsville Grammar School are dealing with an attack on fair and reasonable wage outcomes for all staff. The lack of respect being shown to departing staff is offensive in the extreme; their commitment and their dedication is being disregarded and dismissed. QIEU Chapters are asked to convene a meeting and consider the attached resolution. The completed ‘Fax Back’ should then be forwarded to the Principal, Mr Richard Fairley, by Tuesday, 10 February (with a copy also faxed to QIEU). QIEU colleagues at Townsville Grammar School rely on your support for their campaign to ensure wage justice and recognition of professional contributions of all staff.

Kind Regards

TERRY BURKE GENERAL SECRETARY