In an application lodged on 25 August 2009 the SSTU claimed that the implementation of the Independent Public Schools Program (IPSP) should be delayed as it was being hastily implemented by DET and a number of industrial issues needed to be negotiated prior to the implementation. Specifically, the SSTU claimed that major changes would result to the conditions of employment of teachers and administrators.

After a conference on 31 August 2009 the parties met on two occasions to discuss the impact of the IPSP on teachers and administrators and a further report-back conference was held in the Commission on 3 September 2009. Following this conference the parties were given time to hold further discussions about the issues in dispute.

On 4 September 2009 the SSTU advised the Commission that it was seeking interim orders that implementation be delayed until the end of 2010. After hearing from the parties the Commission dismissed the SSTU’s application on the basis that the parties had already had some productive negotiations and DET had prepared documentation about the impact of the IPSP on the SSTU’s members. The Commission also took into account that DET had undertaken to engage in further negotiations with the SSTU about the impact of the IPSP on SSTU members in a timely manner.

The parties are required to report back to the Commission on a regular basis about the implementation of IPSP.

The Order can be viewed here.