Early Childhood Union action leads to wage increase for lowest paid
On 2 June, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) handed down its decision in the annual wage review, granting a 5.75% wage increase for those employed under modern awards. Thanks to the union movement’s continued advocacy and campaigning, this means workers on minimum wages or modern awards over the past two years will gain significant wage increases – 4.6% in 2022 and 5.75% in 2023 – in line with the FWC’s decision.
This means teachers employed under the Educational Services Teachers Award will receive a 5.75% wage increase as of 1 July 2023. The decision may also affect teacher and educator members employed under the VECTEA, EEEA, VECA, VEEA, Gowrie Victoria and One Tree, depending on your current classification.
For EC members in other council agreements, this may affect your wages if you are employed as a:
- Certificate 3-qualified educator classified at levels 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 or 1.4, in line with the wage increase in the Children’s Services Award (CSA);
- Three-year qualified teacher classified on level 1.1, in line with the percentage wage increase in the Educational Services Teachers Award (ESTA);
- Teacher classified at level 3.1, to align with the increase in the Educational Services Teachers Award (ESTA).
Allowances should also be updated in line with the FWC annual wage review:
- Teacher in charge will increase to $1.36 per hour (4% of the weekly rate of a teacher level 1.1);
- Meal allowance will increase to $14.16;
- Vehicle allowance will increase to 0.96 cents per km.
Relevant members should see these changes from the first pay period on or after 1 July. Please check your pay slips to ensure that the correct changes and wage increases have been applied. If you believe that your payslip is inaccurate, speak to your employer first. If you still have any questions or concerns about your wages or the FWC changes, please contact our Member Support Centre on 1800 238 842 or [email protected].
This is a great outcome for members and the union movement. Talk to your colleagues who are yet to join the AEU and ask them to get on board. They can join at aeuvic.asn.au/joinearlychildhood.
