Members of the Independent Education Union – Queensland and Northern Territory Branch (IEU-QNT) employed at Ipswich Girls' Grammar School (IGGS) and Ipswich Junior Grammar School (IJGS) have demonstrated the difference collective action and union membership makes, following the formal approval of their new collective agreement by the Fair Work Commission (FWC) on 11 October.
IEU-QNT Organiser Andrew Elphinstone said the new agreement provides improved wages and working conditions for IGGS/IJGS employees, following difficult and protracted negotiations with the employer where staff took unprecedented strike action on 4 June 2024.
"The successful ballot followed a lengthy campaign which involved IEU members taking the first instance of protected industrial action by staff since the school opened in 1892," Mr Elphinstone said.
"This is a victory for IEU members and highlights the power of union in achieving positive change.
"These changes have only been secured due to the strength of IEU members at IGGS and IJGS," he said.
An overwhelming 95 per cent of IGGS/IJGS employees voted to accept a proposed agreement after in-principle agreement was finally reached between our union and the employer.
Prior to the successful ballot, IEU members at IGGS/IJGS voted on two separate occasions to reject the sub-par proposed collective agreements initially offered by the employer.
Mr Elphinstone said the decision to take protected industrial action came after the two failed ballots and the employer's attempts to silence the voices of staff.
"The decision to take protected industrial action is always a last resort for members and is never taken lightly," Mr Elphinstone said.
"In this instance, it was the only way for staff to get their message across to the employer," he said.
Mr Elphinstone said the employer finally addressed the outstanding claims relating to wages and leave entitlements after IEU members took protected industrial action.
"The tenacity and solidarity of IEU members has led to this excellent outcome, with improvements to wages and working conditions for all.
"IEU members at IGGS/IJGS are to be commended on their exemplary efforts, and we are grateful to the local community and other IEU members for their support throughout the campaign," he said.
