Why? Why is the world like this?

Young children ask why all day, and early educators have questions too.

Why are we working additional duties with additional responsibilities with no higher duties pay?

Why do we need to do programming in our own time? Why do we need to pay for our essential ongoing training?

Why are centres unable to manage staffing so that we can get our breaks, our programming time and our training covered?

Why are Council-run centres squeezing its teachers? Local Council early childhood educators used to have the best working conditions, why not now?

We care about the children, but why should we have to put up with this? Your union, the USU, negotiates the Local Government (State) Award that covers all local council workers. Some Councils have their own closely connected Award, and you could too!

The USU is asking: The children and their families appreciate you and your expertise, how about your employer?

What does professional recognition look like? It’s a dedicated Award that addresses the specific challenges of the sector which can keep up with the ever-changing demands of your jobs.

What needs to change? A dedicated Award is an opportunity for early childhood educators to directly address the challenges of the sector.

The Award, the Union, and you: The building blocks for better conditions.