On 6 June 2023 a group of unions with substantial membership bases in the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector lodged an application with the Fair Work Commission to commence negotiations (known as enterprise bargaining) on behalf of their members with a group of designated employers.

The lodgement marks the first application of its kind allowed under the new Secure Jobs, Better Pay legislation, and may also herald the beginning of a long-awaited reset in ECEC educator wages. 

Unpacking the UWU enterprise bargaining application – What does it mean for ECEC?