27 NovELAA has successfully concluded negotiations for a new VECTEA
We are pleased to announce that ELAA and the Australian Education Union (AEU) have concluded negotiations for the next Victorian Early Childhood Teachers and Educators Agreement (VECTEA).
ELAA welcomes funding from the Victorian Government and Department of Education and Training for an agreement that provides for the delivery of quality early education whilst also supporting a high-quality early childhood workforce. This has been achieved within the current government wage policy settings.
Key features of the next VECTEA to be funded by the Victorian Government include:
- two per cent annual wage increases for teachers and Pre School Field Officers
- an initial structural adjustment of Educator wages, to lift salaries above the relevant Award, followed by 2 per cent annual wage increases
- three levels for Diploma qualified educators, providing an enhanced career structure
- the removal of validation from 2022
- four mentoring days per year for both graduate teachers and release for experienced teacher mentors
- an additional one hour per week per service to assist the workload of Educational Leaders and Nominated Supervisors
- an additional child free day at the commencement of the year
- paid parental leave of 16 weeks for the primary caregiver and four weeks for the secondary caregiver
- access to an Employee Assistance Program
- the ability for employers to formally manage workplace performance issues.
ELAA is confident the next VECTEA will help ensure we have a qualified workforce that can deliver on key government initiatives, including funded three-year-old kindergarten.
Next steps will include the formal Fair Work Commission approval process. With only three weeks until the end of Term 4 the parties have agreed that this will occur in early Term 1. This will include all employees who will be covered by VECTEA having the opportunity to vote before formal approval at FWC.
ELAA members will be provided information and guidance regarding the FWC approval process as well as support around transition and implementation steps.
The ELAA Board and I wish to thank all members of the ELAA Industrial Relations Reference Group who provided ongoing feedback and support, ensuring a process whereby employer views were well represented.
Regards
David Worland
CEO
