AGREED STATEMENT

Fair Work Act 2009
s.576(2)(aa) - Promoting cooperative and productive workplace relations and preventing disputes

Independent Education Union of Australia
and

Queensland Catholic EducationCommission

(NA2015/10)

VICE PRESIDENT CATANZARITI
COMMISSIONER BOOTH

BRISBANE, 6 MAY 2016

IEU and QCEC participation in New Approaches program.

The Independent Education Union of Australia (IEU) and the Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC) have participated in bargaining as part of a New Approaches matter at the Fair Work Commission. Following a meeting held on 6 May it is agreed between the parties as follows that:

1. The parties have agreed to continue to participate in the New Approaches program on the following dates for the purpose of achieving new enterprise agreements:

24 and 25 May 2016

30 May to 3 June 2016

7 and 8 June 2016

2. The New Approaches program will be facilitated by Vice President Catanzariti and Commissioner Susan Booth.

3. To assist the process it has been agreed as follows that:

● the current SBU meeting dates will be vacated. All outstanding matters will be progressed through the New Approaches program;

● for clarity, all matters agreed in principle to date, remain agreed in principle; and

● all current and prospective protected industrial action will be suspended from 10 May 2016 until 10 July 2016.

4. The Agenda for the program will be open and all issues can be discussed subject to the point made above, that is matters agreed in principle will remain agreed in principle.

5. To ensure clear communication, the parties agree that they will prepare a joint communication document at appropriate intervals. It is not envisaged that this will be at the conclusion of each day.

6. The QCEC affirms its commitment to pay backpay to 1 July 2015 (for teachers) and 1 May 2015 (for school officers and services staff) on a successful ballot for new agreements.

7. Senior administrators are to be invited to participate in the latter part of the process and remain welcome to attend at any time.

VICE PRESIDENT COMMISSIONER

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Independent Education Union of Australia (IEU) and the Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC) were involved in a dispute that was addressed by the Fair Work Commission. The matter was part of a New Approaches process aimed at achieving new enterprise agreements. The Commission facilitated the negotiations, with Vice President Catanzariti and Commissioner Susan Booth playing key roles. The primary legal issue before the Commission was the establishment of terms and conditions under which the IEU and QCEC would continue their bargaining process to reach new enterprise agreements.

The court deliberated on the procedural aspects of the New Approaches program, focusing on ensuring that the negotiation process was efficient and productive. A significant outcome of the deliberation was the agreement to suspend all current and prospective protected industrial action from 10 May 2016 until 10 July 2016 to facilitate a smooth negotiation process. The court also mandated the preparation of joint communication documents by the parties to maintain transparency and clarity. Furthermore, the QCEC committed to paying backpay to certain staff categories, contingent on a successful ballot for new agreements. The Commission emphasized that all matters agreed in principle would remain so, and senior administrators were invited to participate in the later stages of the negotiation process.

The court's decision resulted in an agreement to continue the New Approaches program on specific dates, with Vice President Catanzariti and Commissioner Susan Booth facilitating the process. The agreement also included provisions for the suspension of industrial action, preparation of joint communication documents, and the QCEC's commitment to backpay. This decision aimed to promote cooperative and productive workplace relations and prevent disputes, in line with the objectives of the Fair Work Act 2009.

Independent Education Union of Australia and Queensland Catholic EducationCommission

AGREED STATEMENT

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Orders of the court

Background to the litigation

Evidence Before The Court

Reasons for decision

Legal Principle Established