HR INSIGHT
Industrial action has been taken in WA for the 1st time in more than a decade.
More than 6000 WA teachers have left the profession over the last 4 years. On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, over 8000 teachers from Western Australia participated in a half-day strike in East Perth, demanding better pay and fewer students per classroom. Currently, it can’t go above 32 students for years 4-10, but this is constantly exceeded due to a staff crisis.
A group of teachers marched from Optus Stadium to Clouster Park while carrying signs with messages. One of the signs stood out with its clever use of lyrics from a Taylor Swift song: “Look what you made me do – overworked, underpaid, and over it”. This industrial action was orchestrated by the State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia (SSTUWA) after unsuccessful negotiations with the State Government regarding a new Bargaining Agreement.
The SSTUWA demands centred on a salary increase of 12% over two years, a proposal that the state government countered with an offer of an 11 % increase spread over 3 years. The government’s latest offer amounts to a real wage cut. This means that because the increase in nominal wages doesn’t keep up with the rise in the cost of living, actual purchasing power decreases (RBA, 2024). The president of SSTUWA, Matt Jarman, described the offer as an insult.
HR/IR SNAPSHOT
Dad-icated to Family, Australia’s Push for ‘Use It or Lose It’ Parental Leave
Today, around 60% of mothers in Australia use their parental leave pay, but fathers only use 10%.According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Australia’s paid parental leave entitlements are much lower than the average of most other developed countries.
The average paid parental leave for OECD countries is 39 weeks, whereas, in Australia, parents are entitled to receive up to 20 weeks of paid parental leave (100 days) per child. The payment is made at the minimum wage rate, currently equivalent to $882.75 weekly (AFR 2024). Each parent and guardian are entitled to an additional 2 weeks of leave.
Starting in July 2024, significant changes will happen to the parental leave policy. The parental leave allowance will gradually increase over the next two years, reaching 26 weeks (130 days) by July 2026, an additional 30 days. Families can also take 4 weeks of leave together (as a couple) to allow for more time as a unit during their child’s early months.
Furthermore, from July 1, 2025, the Australian Government will contribute an extra 12% on top of the employer’s contribution for eligible families receiving parental leave (Read More Here). Paid parental leave will increase to 24 weeks, with at least 3 weeks needed to be taken by the second parents. Then, from July 2026 onwards, each parent will be entitled to 4 dedicated weeks of parental leave, which they can choose to take or lose. Not all the weeks can be used by one parent to encourage both to take some paid parental leave, known as the “use it or lose it scheme to encourage more balanced parental involvement.
TEAM DIARY
Are you interested in joining the marvinHR team?
We are looking for an energetic Junior Recruitment Consultant to join our team at marvinHR! This is an opportunity for someone who thrives in an environment that fosters learning and is ready to dive into recruitment full-time – Monday to Friday, from 8:30 am to 5 pm.
Our office is at the heart of West Perth, 1122 Hay Street. Just to let you know, this position requires your presence on-site, as we believe in the power of face-to-face interactions and team collaboration, making remote work not an option for this role. We provide on-site parking right behind our office. It would be best to have a bachelor’s degree in commerce, arts, or any other relevant field, but this is not necessary as long as you are willing to learn; we are eager to teach, so all you must have is a ‘can-do’ attitude.
You can click here to read more or apply.
