United Voice role a direct snub: teachers

THE childhood teachers union has written to Julia Gillard asking her to axe a decision by School Education Minister Peter Garrett.

THE early childhood teachers union has written to Julia Gillard asking her to overturn School Education Minister Peter Garrett's decision to appoint only one union, Labor-affiliated United Voice, to sit on a new board that will determine the allocation of $300 million in new funding.

The Early Years Quality Fund will help centres offset the cost of hiring more qualified staff to meet new regulations introduced under government childcare reforms.

NSW/ACT Independent Education Union general secretary John Quessy's letter to the Prime Minister criticises the government for a "direct snub" in appointing United Voice, "which largely represents lesser qualified and unqualified childcare workers", and overlooking the early childhood teachers union.

"In announcing the composition of the board, the minister went to great length to outline measures to avoid perceptions of conflict of interest yet the government is leaving itself open to criticism for appointing the union affiliated to the ALP and ignoring the teacher unions, which although not politically affiliated seek to represent their members in this important venture," Mr Quessy wrote.

He said that the fund's seven-member advisory board had been established to attract and retain qualified professionals, yet no university qualified professionals were represented on it.

From the start of next year, all childcare workers will have to hold at least a Certificate III and centres will have to employ at least one university-trained teacher.

The funding boost will provide a $3-an-hour pay increase by July to childcare workers with a Certificate III.

Mr Garrett said the advisory board would help deliver better outcomes for both workers and children, and had a fair representation of the private sector.

A new pay equity unit will also be established within the Fair Work Commission.

The IEU is calling on the Prime Minister to intervene and ensure that teachers who are represented by the IEU, or in some states the Australian Education Union, are represented, Mr Quessy said.

"In the past, the Prime Minister has shown an appreciation of the difference qualified teachers make in a childcare setting and we hope she will intervene with Mr Garrett to explain the importance of their contribution on this board," Mr Quessy wrote.