
Schools What do you want from the new agreement?

This year, AEU Victoria will start negotiating for a new Victorian Government Schools Agreement (VGSA). To do that, we need to hear from our members what they want in that agreement. We’re asking sub-branches to meet throughout Term 1 and decide what should be put in our log of claims – the key document that sets out the matters the AEU will bargain for on behalf of our members.
This is one of those moments where we get to be involved in a process that directly impacts on your day-to-day work.
We want to hear from you.
What is most important to you?
What changes do you want to see in the next agreement?
As a valued member, you will have ideas and suggestions about how to improve your workload and working conditions. We are asking sub-branches to get together, share ideas and make a submission. The deadline for these submissions is 27 March, the last day of Term 1.
During Term 2, sub-branch submissions from each region will be considered and debated by regional meetings across the state. If your sub-branch submits proposals to the draft log, a member from your sub-branch must attend your designated regional meeting. All supported proposals will then go to the Joint Primary and Secondary Sector Council for consideration in Term 3.
Once the content of the log of claims is determined, it can then be finalised and served on the DET and the government. We negotiate with DET, who will come to the table with their own set of proposals and ideas. The bargaining process takes time, as the AEU leadership team negotiating on behalf of members, advocates for the proposals we have put forward.
Now is the time to speak up. The new VGSA will have a profound effect on life in schools for teachers, ES and school leaders for the next three-four years. Don’t forget – a new agreement is a great time to encourage non-members to join. Your involvement, your activism and the recruitment of new members are essential to achieving an agreement that is fair and reasonable for all.
On our AEU VGSA website, you will find a proforma the sub-branch can fill in and submit electronically.