IEU files with Federal Court over alleged Redeemer Baptist School underpayments

The union has commenced legal action after media reports sparked an NSW parliamentary inquiry to examine whether teachers were engaged on an unpaid or severely underpaid basis at the independent Christian school.

Further to a host of revelations unveiled at the NSW Legislative Council’s first public hearing into the Redeemer Baptist School on 10 August, the Independent Education Union has lodged a claim in the Federal Court to recover payment for two staff members allegedly not paid during their employment.

As covered by HR Leader, the parliamentary inquiry was conducted after media reports brought to light allegations of staff and teacher exploitation, overt student control, and further unlawful practices.

According to Independent Education Union (IEU) NSW/ACT branch secretary Carol Matthews, “there were also allegations that the school is not paying its staff – the school claims its teachers are ‘volunteers’, not employees”.

“The union believes Redeemer Baptist has broken the law by not paying staff,” Matthews said.

Non-government school staff, including teachers and those employed in professional and management capabilities, are generally paid salaries comparable to those employed in NSW government schools.

The IEU further noted that, in the absence of an enterprise agreement, school staff must receive the minimum federal award and legislated conditions, including superannuation, which, it appears, the school has not complied with.

Matthews said there are likely many other ex-members with legitimate claims for compensation, adding: “The union is determined to ensure the school meets its legal obligations to staff.”

Further allegations included work health and safety law breaches, contravention of workers’ compensation laws, and coercive staff and student control over exposure to outside work.

Matthews said: “Practices such as students and teachers sharing bedrooms raised serious child protection concerns.”

The second public hearing, held on 14 August, saw ex-students reveal the extent of student punishment, including one occasion where a student was put in a dog collar, pulled on a lead, thrown into a pond, and even held under water.

More revelations and evidence are anticipated with a third public hearing scheduled for 12 October.

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